In a match vital to both clubs, St Bedes/Mentone Tigers outplayed Old Trinity at Brindisi St, and in doing so, took another step towards securing its place in the Premier division. As the over 120 guests who attended the lunch to see club stalwart Vern Boag bestowed Life Membership and inducted into the Hall of Fame spilled out onto the terraces, the home side was getting away to a bright start with the first 2 goals of the match. Then Luke Terrell showed better judgment to casually mark and kick his first then 5 minutes later thrilled the large crowd with an absolute screamer and finished with a good goal. The second quarter was an arm wrestle. Blake McGrath continued to give our on-ballers good supply, but both defences stood strong with Paul Wintle marking everything across half back, and Pat Tyquin and Dan and Tom Garside giving great run out of the backline. The Tigers maintained the pressure and Trinity, while having their share of the ball, were starting to spray their shots at goal. A 19 point lead at half time and plenty of work still to do.
After the long break, the arm wrestle resumed with even greater intensity. The order of the day was in tight, close contested footy; as it often is at Brindisi St. Cameron Hansen’s second and third efforts were sensational, and Damian Waters and Jaryd Robertson continued to provide the way out of defense and into attack. While the Tigers found goals through a great long range shot from Luke Wintle, a clever snap from Cameron Hansen and a running shot from Pat Kean, the Trinity boys must have thought they were wearing somebody else’s boots, managing 2.8 for the quarter.
The battle continued in the 4th quarter before the Tigers finally broke free. Some hard in and under work by Gavin Brown resulted in Luke Terrell’s 4th goal. Paul Wintle snuck forward to slot one through, Cameron Hansen was rewarded when he snapped his 3rd, and Pat Kean got on the end of another to put it beyond doubt and secure a hard earned 4 points. The Reserves showed great endeavour and application but were in the end, outpointed. Both U19 teams played local rivals Beaumaris and came away with the points, the Premier team winning by 6 goals and the South team winning by 10 goals. Next weekend Premier A and B sections take a well deserved break providing a great opportunity for all supporters to see our U19s in action – both teams are at Brindisi St – U19 Blues (South) at 11:40am and U19 Red (Premier) at 2pm.