By Gary Stocks

North Beach resumed its mantle at the top of the A-Grade table with a resounding 33-point win over North Fremantle at Gil Fraser Reserve last Saturday.

The Tigers now hold top spot ahead of Wesley Curtin and Mt Lawley on percentage and are starting to get a number of quality players back from injury, driving competition for places in the senior line-up. 

Matt O’Donnell sustained his rich vein of form, Anthony “Chooka” Ingham and Scott Ward were outstanding in defence while Steve Bandy capped off his good work on a wing with three goals.

A-Grade
North Beach                       2.4          4.6          9.8          14.9        93
North Fremantle              2.1          4.1          6.4          9.6         60
Goals – North Beach: Bandy 3; O’Donnell 2; Turner, Pearce, Brennan, Nunan, M Holbrook, Perkin.
Best – North Beach: O’Donnell, Ingham, Ward, Bandy.

The A-reserves won something of an arm wrestle against the Magpies which has also seen them push inside the top five, currently holding down fourth position.

A-Reserves
North Beach                                                                        6.4          40
North Fremantle                                                              3.6          24

The all-conquering E-grade combination won its sixth successive game against another previously unbeaten team in North Fremantle, but still sits in second place behind the Magpies, who have a superior percentage, but also have a game in hand.

North Fremantle has not yet had its bye.

The Tigers, after a tight first half, kicked nine goals to three after the main break thanks largely to the dominance of ruckman Jake Robinson and outstanding defensive efforts from Byron Boys and Curtis Hogg.

North Beach was also able to restrict the impact of their opponents’ key play-makers.

E-Grade
North Beach                       1.4          3.4          7.6          12.6        78
North Fremantle            2.1          3.5          5.6          6.7          43
Goals – North Beach: Chapman 3, Morling, Keely, Sajich 2, Quinlan, Plant, Rice 1.
Best – North Beach: Robinson, Boys, Chapman, Sajich, Bird

The E-Reserves wasted an opportunity to push towards the top five, kicking just 1.2 after quarter-time.

On balance of play North Beach should have enjoyed a healthy buffer at three-quarter time, but could not transform dominant possession into scoreboard pressure and paid a price when North Fremantle rattled on three final quarter goals in the bleak conditions.

Andy Meares, Matt Reynolds and Scott Raschenberger were under notice  for the Beach. 

E-Reserves
North Fremantle              1.0          1.5          2.7          5.10        40
North Beach                       3.4          3.5          3.5          4.6          30
Goals – North Beach: Burfield, Staniforth, T Cavanagh, Gaunt 1.
Best – North Beach: Mears, Reynolds, Raschenberger.

The undefeated Kalamunda G-Grade combination proved a little too strong for North Beach, despite a heartening effort from the Tigers, who slipped to a 17-point loss.

The Tigers worked hard and if they can sustain that level of football in coming weeks will quickly scale the premiership table.  

G-Grade
Kalamunda 9.10 (64) def North Beach 7.5 (47)

The Phil Scott colts started the day at Gil Fraser Reserve in the most positive fashion, with a strong-finishing 12-point win over North Fremantle.

Led by Matt Irvine at centre half-back, Ross Holdman in the ruck and Ben Clark through the midfield, the Tigers willed their way to victory.

Asked for a special effort at three-quarter time, full-forward Jordan Kickett came up with the goods, kicking two of the team’s three final quarter goals. With skipper Jacob Griffiths leading the way, the boys are playing with good endeavour and enthusiasm and will be looking to sustain their form against competition leader CBC Fremantle this week.  

Phil Scott Colts
North Beach                       2.1          3.3          3.6          6.8          44
North Fremantle             1.4          3.4          3.7          4.8          32
Goals – North Beach: Barber, Kickett 2; Foreman, Knott 1.
Best – North Beach: Irvine, Holdman, Clark.

The Brett Jones colts suffered another near miss against Wesley Curtin, slipping a couple of goals behind in the second quarter – a gap that was never bridged on the way to a 16-point loss.

Most players had some good moments in the game, but need to contribute for the duration as the team looks to find some consistency and victories going forward.

Ryan Antonelli worked feverishly through the midfield, Chris Emery was outstanding through the middle and in defence, Scott Berry shone at both ends of the ground with his determination and courage while Brandon Avery did some good things on a wing.   

Brett Jones Colts
Wesley-Curtin                  2.2          5.3          7.3          10.3        73
North Beach                       2.2          3.3          5.5          7.5         47
Goals – North Beach: Mead 2; Barwick, Christie, DeRooster, Dye, Slatter 1.
Best – North Beach: Emery, Antonelli, Tester, Avery, Berry.