SUMMARY
St Bedes MT kicking into a strong breeze and scoring the 1st goal in just 49 seconds and adding another 2 before DLS opened its account did nothing to soothe the nerves of the players nor the supporters.DLS got rolling with 3 of the next 4 to trail by 6 points at quarter time in what was a spirited openning.
With forwards Ben Mannix and Matt Moore prominent DLS added 4 goals to 2 to take a slender 3 point lead to the main break. The forward pair again combined to give DLS kicking with the strongish breeze a handy 13 point lead after 6 minutes. Matt Fielsend gathering many possessions around the packs scored a decisive goal and the lead was out to 19. St Bedes MT responded like a top side looking to secure 2nd place on the ladder adding 3 of the next 4 goals to reduce the margin to just 8 points at ¾ time.
Scores were level after just 3 minutes and St BedesMT gained the for the lead for the first time since the 4 minute mark of quarter 2 when McGettigan marked superbly and played on to score their 8th goal from a long way out. Intensity was high when DLS levelled the score when David Lowe crashed the pack after a tough conest in front of the DLS goal and snapped truly. 11 minutes of really intense football elapsed before Michael Duggan receiving, from Ben Mannix after the latter had marked superbly, gave DLS a 6 point margin 17 minutes in.
Matt Moore goaled from a sharpish angle to apparently “ice” the game after 21 minutes but St Bedes MT got the margin back to 6 soon after and it was still game on. Ben Mannix again showing superior judgement marked and kicked the sealer at the 26 minute mark for DLS to record a remarkable, perhaps season saving, 12 poiint victory!

QTR1
St Bedes Mentone Tigers (StBMT) start brilliantly into a strongish breeze. 3 goals in 10 minutes with star forward Collins on the receiving end of superb delivery, converting accurately. Tough contest midfield won by Josh Oakley. Quickly off to Michael Duggan, across to David Lowe to Ben Corin who marks at CHF and gets DLS 1st. Collins replies immediately. DLS backs are having difficulty coping with STBMT quick, purposeful delivery. Tide is turning with DLS winning more contested possessions. Sam Pickett gains possession and delivers to Corin who is moving well around the attack. His long kick is marked by Ben Mannix and his 1st is on the board. Sam Nethersole with a good tap to Pickett who delivers out of centre to Jeff Morel quickly across to Nethersole running from centre and he goals from CHF. DLS close to 6 points at quarter time but appear to have squandered the significant wind advantage.

QTR2
Pretty tense opening minutes but DLS miss some gettable goals where extremely good play goes unrewarded. Defensive pressure on in bound kick sees Michael Duggan swoop on the error and DLS lead for the 1st time. Jeff Morel wins a free on back flank, quickly onto Olmo Salvatore to David Lowe who outsprints several opponents around pavilion flank and delivers long to goal square. The ever alert Mannix goals off the ground! DLS are in control but StBMT goals against the run of play. The battle for possession is intense and Oakley and opponent exchange pleasantries culminating in his opponent being red carded. Ball Up on DLS forward flank. Nethersole hits to Morel who with quick hands passes off to Matt Fieldsend whose disciplined kick is to the top of the goal square where Mannix takes a spectacular mark and goals from directly in front. But again Collins replies for the opposition with his 4th and the scores are even. StBMT miss with 3 rushes on goal as DLS backs are responding well to the increased pressure.
Young guns Nethersole and Sam Williams whose running down of opponents has been a feature of the 1st half, combine to free Lowe whose pass to Matt Moore is a beauty. Moore goals and DLS take a 3 point lead to the major break.

QTR3
StBMT continue their run of misses as DLS are really struggling to get the ball out of defence. Eventually DLS force the ball forward and from a big boundary hit out by Corin, Fieldsend delivers wildly but still to the top of square. Mannix marks and plays on to break the goal drought. Tom Moloney and Luke Jarvis have finally got the measure of their talented opponents and the former in particular is driving the ball deep into the DLS attacking zone. Duggan, Lowe, Oakley and Shields are winning many possessions but the pressure is such that disposals are not totally effective. Williams wins possession against superior odds and is freed after disposal with Moore to take kick in forward pocket. His goal gives DLS a handy 13 point buffer in a low scoring hard fought game.
There is a fierce contest at ground level near CHF for DLS. Very quick exchange of handballs involving Pickett, Morel, Jarrod Moloney and Moore gives Fieldsend space and he scores running into the open goal.
StBMT mount several desperate attacks but the DLS defence are now clearly on top with Close, Oakley, Jarvis and T Moloney doing exceptionally well. Will Fenton back from injury is slowly working his way into the game with his trademark courage on display.7 minutes of constant attack is finally rewarded and StBMT edge closer. Newly promoted Tim Kovess whose pace and HBG are highlights passes to Duggan quickly onto Corin whose long sharp delivery finds Nath Roberts at the top of the square. Roberts marks unopposed and the margin of 19 is restored. StBMT are frustrated and calls are heard “who is on these blokes”. But it is the quick run and ball movement which is catching their defence out of position.
However they rally and late goals to Nichols and Collins (his 5th) reduces the DLS margin to only 8 points at ¾ time. Pressure on. “A” grade place in jeopardy!
Despite having a fine quarter winning 7:1 out of centre DLS has only extended their half time lead by 5 points. However this is a major achievement in terms of recent 3rd quarter performances.

QTR4
Needing to consolidate, DLS crash into play but without method or composure. At the 3 minute mark StBMT get their 3rd in a row and scores are level having missed 2 relatively easy chances. Soon after McGettigan marks a kick in, plays on and goals from distance and their enthusiasm is high in sharp contrast to 15 minutes earlier. DLS is having extreme difficulty getting the ball clear of their defensive zone. DLS can’t score as several shots fall short and are cleared easily. Corin is having a fine game at CHF where his strength and overhead marking is a feature. His long kick just falls short and the pack forces the ball up ground where a rushed StBMT disposal floats high. David Lowe courageously crashes in and somehow gains possession. His snap while unbalanced is superb and scores are again level 8 minutes in. Very tense! For 9 minutes play swings quickly end to end. Both teams miss what they should get. Aaron Shields having a fine game in possession if not disposal terms wins possession against all odds. Somehow he gets ball to Dan Close onto Fieldsend and he again kicks to top of square where Mannix reigns supreme. Despite marking only meters out, he handballs to Duggan on his wrong side if you don’t mind. But Duggo snaps truly and DLS are looking at an upset as predicted by “A” grade scribe Jon Horn. Big man Nath Roberts who has had a fine overall game marks deep on the DLS wing. He passes to Corin who wins a fiercely contested marking duel. Hand pass to Duggan and he finds Moore with a delightful pass. Moore is on the boundary where he has missed twice previously despite favouring his natural kicking style. His goal gives DLS breathing space but there is still perhaps 5 minutes left on the clock.
Tom Moloney takes a screamer over 2 or 3 bigger opponents but unable to find a forward target passes backwards. It becomes unstuck somehow. Hecker goals and StBMT’s 2nd place security lives on!
Duggan building on a return to form last week wins possession passes to T Moloney and from the resultant entry Mannix marks and his 5th goal seals a memorable upset win for DLS by 12 points.

Guys, the job is NOT done. Beating Old Trinity next week is the only way to ensure participation in the top division in season 2009!

Colin Glover
Secretary De La Salle OCA FC Inc