Summary
DLS matched Xaverians early with Dan Keely notching 3 majors in succession to briefly hand DLS the lead. Late goals by Xaverians gave them 14 point lead at ¼ time.
The second and third stanzas saw DLS fitter opportunities through inaccurate kicking on goal and poor field disposals. In those quarters DLS scored only 3 goals from 16 attempts while Xaverians achieved 8 goals from 18. This left Xaverians with a 43 point lead at ¾ time. The final quarter was DLS best with Gotch goaling early and then Ryan Sherman almost taking complete control. Desperate runs resulted in his 3 goals before captain Ben Corin marked superbly to gaol from a long way out and DLS reduced the margin to 24 points. Xaverians steadied when Sherman was pinged for running too far in the Xaverians scoring zone. Overall it was Xaverians willingness to play on from every encounter, combined with long disposals to a talented forward pack which overcame a gallant DLS.

QTR1
Game opened at a cracking pace with Xavs forwards moving impressively on long leads. Pressure was being applied all over the ground but Xavs were ascendant with goals to Clarke & Lynch. Then Keels stood up with 3 goals in 4 minutes, the 1st from a superb pass from 2nd gamer Locky Bull whose pace was too much for the lumbering Xavs defence. Keels marked in the forward pocket for his & DLS 2nd. A free for a high tackle gave Keely his 3rd and DLS had the lead in a high quality encounter.
DLS lost David Lowe in a fierce tackle as Xavs were stung with the unexpected resistance and responded with 3 unanswered goals to go to ¼ time with a 14 point margin.
 
QTR2
After a period where the defences gained ascendancy DLS goaled through Micky Duggan who benefited from contested ball win by Keely whose hand pass found Greg Hesse who in turn found Duggo on the run.
Xavs lifted their intensity amazingly, playing on at all times which caught the De La defence napping although any defence would be hard pressed to contain forwards on the receiving end of fast, accurate delivery from the Xavs runners. Four unanswered goals to Xavs gave them a handy 30 point lead at half time. DLS did not help its cause with woeful inaccuracy in front of goal which yielded only 1 major for the quarter from 7 shots on goal. Perceived pressure everywhere?

QTR3
The essential difference in the teams was epitomised in the opening minutes. DLS missed and on the rebound Xav’s Agius got his 4th to extend their lead to 35.Micky Duggan battled hard for possession on the half forward line and his short kick under considerable pressure found Jacob Gotch who marked and converted to break a run of 5 behinds.
The scoreboard was not reflective of the tense struggle for possession. The difference being that when Xavs gained possession, they invariably found their mark with the ensuing disposal, whereas De La more often missed their target.
Ris McArdle now assigned to the mobile Handley was doing o.k and Al Greenhalgh was holding his own against class forwards. Pressure eventually told with Xavs scoring 3 unanswered goals over a 15 minute period. In the same time span DLS added 4 behinds!
Young Sam Nethersole who was having a good game marked at CHF and got DLS 6th goal but the margin at ¾ time had blown out to 43 points.

QTR4
Many teams faced with this situation would have gone through the motions but DLS started the final quarter with fire & enthusiasm. But the inaccuracy continued with 2 behinds from play which warranted better!
Jacob Gotch marked superbly and notched his 2nd and De La’s 7th after 7 tense minutes of quality football. But it was hard to contain the Xav’s class and Agius got his 7th
This seemed to inspire De La and Ryan Sherman specifically to greater efforts which was admirable! Shermo took off literally but his long run around the wing deserved better than the behind registered. He made amends with a long bomb from beyond CHF. Ben Corin got on the end of another disposal from the irrepressible Keely, and just to show Shermo how it is done, kicked superbly for De La’s 9th. Unfortunately Xav’s replied almost effortlessly to ease some mounting scoreboard pressure.
Ryan Sherman who literally had the ball on a string excited the DLS crowd with exhilarating runs and long kicking to position. He got De La’s 10th. Again DLS could not maintain the momentum as 2 easy opportunities resulted only in behinds before Shermo, with adrenalin running higher than his legs could sustain forgot to bounce the ball every 15 meters or so, got pinged and the resultant goal finally ended the DLS charge.
Not to be denied nor discouraged Shermo bagged his 3rd for the quarter to reduced the final margin to 30 points.
 
 
Colin Glover