Uni Blues hold off CY’s late charge as old boys clubs kickstart season in style

A close encounter between the Uni Blues and Williamstown headlines an enthralling start to the Holmesglen Under 19 Premier season, as four other prestigious sides kickstarted their seasons with dominant victories.

Reigning premiers Old Brighton got their season underway with a 65-point win over St Bedes/Mentone at Brighton Beach Oval thanks to a prolific start.

The Tonners notched the first 26 points of the game before the Tigers kept withing touching distance at the quarter time break, reducing the margin back down to two goals.

Both sides exchanged majors on the other side of the break, but the Tonners would soon wrestle all the momentum in their favour, kicking the next four goals while the Tigers remained scoreless for the remainder of the term, branching their lead out to 38 at halftime.

Inaccuracy prevented an avalanche in the third term, with Old Brighton scoring 3.5 to St Bedes/Mentone’s 3.2, but a brick wall defence in the final term put the game beyond doubt. Limiting the Tigers to just two behinds in the fourth quarter, the Tonners romped to a near 11-goal victory to kickstart their premiership defence.

2024 Team of the Year member Mason Szonyi was amongst the Tonners’ best, as was Andrew Langworthy (three goals) and Zach Travers (two).

Sole multiple-goalkicker Simon Taylor was amongst the best for SBMT, as was Cooper Donnellan.

Old Scotch have begun the season with a statement win over Caulfield Grammarians, overcoming a sluggish start to put away The Fields by nearly triple figures.

An inaccurate start to the contest saw the Cardinals trail by two points at the first break, kicking 1.4 (10) to The Fields’ two goals straight.

Old Scotch clicked into gear in the second term, firing five goals onto the scoreboard while limiting Caulfield to just one, opening up a lead of 24 at the main break.

The momentum wasn’t stifled by the halftime siren however, as the Cardinals continued their rampage in the third term, once again allowing just one goal for Caulfield Grammarians while piling on eight goals themselves. Old Scotch again were defensively sound in the final term, preventing all but a behind in the final half an hour of action, as the lead extended to 95 by the final siren.

A bag of five for Spencer Hunter highlighted the comprehensive result while captain and vice-captain duo Finn Nankervis and Kieran Greville each booted two. James Smith of The Fields was best-on-ground for his club, while Aleksander Tamaressis was the lone multiple goalscorer.

Old Xaverians have soared to the top of the ladder after a demolition job of newcomers Hampton Rovers in Round 1.

The straight-kicking Xavs punted 10 goals straight to just two behinds to start the contest in an ominous sign for the season to come. Missing finals by one place in 2024, it’s clear the Old Xaverians have a point to prove this season.

The Xavs tallied 100 points by halftime and led by 86, before the Rovers battled hard in the third term to show competitiveness, only outscored by 15.

The damn wall broke in the final term though, with Old Xaverians romping home to the tune of a 149-point victory.

Xavs’ Harry Warfe currently leads the competition’s goalkicking tally with seven for the match, followed by Max King who snagged five. Harry Ockerby was best-on for the Rovers, as Charlie Steen found the goals twice.

The Xavs now sit atop of the table with an intimidating percentage to their name.

In the closest contest of the round, the University Blues held firm in a late surge from Williamstown CYMS to bank a 14-point win.

The Blues’ lead grew through each break, beginning with a 15-point margin, out to 32 at halftime, and an eight-goal advantage at the final change.

Leaking goals in time-on was the damning factor for the CYs, as their defensive efforts came undone in the closing moments of each quarter.

“The Uni Blues had good players through the outside… and we just leaked goals in extra time, the last two minutes,” Williamstown coach Cameron Evans said.

“We were ineffective through our forward half with disposals and composure… composure and communication going forward (is what we need to improve on).”

As nine debutants, six of which were bottom-agers, began to hit their straps as a unit, the CY’s surged back into the contest.

Scoring six goals to one, it was too little too late to steal victory, but Evans will take the positive finish into Round 2.

“We really started to shine… Eric Wingard was brewing off half back, Maahi Patel kicked four in the last quarter.”

The Uni Blues’ best in the win were Lachlan Gilligan and Sam Lindsay, while Charlie Cotter nabbed three majors.

2024 runners-up St Kevin’s began their season in style with a 91-point victory over De La Salle, but despite the one-sided result, coach Paul Greenham isn’t satisfied.

Greenham lauded De La’s performance, believing the score didn’t reflect the evenness of the contest.

“Full credit to De La. The scoreboard doesn’t tell the whole story, De La were very young and competitive,” Greenham said.

“They had their moments and should have finished a lot closer.”

SKOB’s fired with the wind straight out the gates, scoring 37 points while De La Salle remained scoreless. A competitive second quarter saw De La Salle capitalise on their possession with three goals, while St Kevin’s struggled to convert in front of goal with a term of one goal and six behinds.

Harnessing the breeze in the third term, the lead extended to 11 goals as SKOB’s kicked 32 points to just two minor scores.

Unable to make the most of their ball use, a “dinted in confidence” De La Salle let their guard down enough to allow St Kevin’s to score six more goals against the wind and sail home to a large victory.

Although pleased with a couple of experienced members, Greenham ensured there was lots to work on for the young men in green, gold and navy blue.

“I was pleased that two of last year’s players in (Ben) Cantwell and (Noah) Spiteri led the way with their hardness and pressure,” Greenham said.

“We are so far from being where we want to be as a group. All facets of our game need attention.”

With focus turning to Round 2, St Kevin’s will meet with the Rovers at Boss James Reserve to target a 2-0 start. De La Salle will look to overcome their losing performance against Old Scotch, while Old Brighton host Williamstown CYMS.

A gruelling dual between Old Xaverians and University Blues is set to take place too, with both sides eyeing an undefeated start, however Round 2 all kicks off under Friday night lights, as St Bede’s/Mentone host Caulfield Grammarians at Mentone Reserve on April 11.