A game that began full of verve and enthusiasm ended flatly when the O’Rourke Realty A-Grade could not sustain the effort against fellow flag contender Fremantle CBC at Charles Riley Reserve last Saturday.
After kicking the first four goals, the Beach could not resist the CBC fightback, eventually losing 7.3 (45) to 14.8 (92).
Fremantle’s important players started to get involved thereafter, with Brendan Chen and Rob Young (six goals) imposing themselves on the game.
While Blake Piggott, Andrew McGuiinness and Dan Leishman tried valiantly to repel the CBC assault, their opponents carried too much poise and experience.
Matt Irvine was also solid in defence and Tim Edwards worked hard both ways, but a disappointing second half – after scores had been level at the main break – proved decisive.
The Lifenet A-Reserves suffered their first defeat of the season, failing to capitalise on opportunities as they fell by five points – 4.11 (35) to 6.5 (41).
It was an entertaining contest, the Beach owning the balance of play, but could not convert on the scoreboard.
Cam Hoskins, who was in line to debut in the A-Grade game before work commitments prevented it, experienced defender Ben Sweeny and midfielder Matt Power as well as young defender Lucas Gardiner did all they could to propel the Beach to victory.
The day started well enough, with the Plastwerwise Phil Scott Colts enduring in another impressive display.
There was little in the game all day, but the Beach built a two-goal cushion in the second term and were never headed thereafter. Forward Caiden Eaton continued his rich vein of form, marking strongly and kicking four goals as the Beach powered to an 11-point win – 8.5 (53) to 6.6 (42).
Jack Stevens set the standard with his competitive attitude, while consistent performers like forward Jack Davidson, utility player Judd Clinch, Lachy Gardiner and Blake Sawyer were impressive.
The Indi Bar Brett Jones Colts scored an impressive 17-point victory against North Fremantle at Gil Fraser Reserve.
A dominant first quarter, when they posted 3.8 to 0.0 was not reflective of the rest of the game as, predictably, the Magpies fought back.
Play was evenly balanced after the first change, with Josh Artaud dangerous up forward with three goals, while Flynn Blackburn, Tom Dix and Liam Fellows were also prominent.
Although the scoreline suggests different, the Hybrid Linings D1-Grade did not have it all their own way against Mt Lawley.
Despite winning 13.12 (90) to 4.1 (25), the Beach dropped their guard in the third term, conceding three goals to one.
It was a good lesson to learn for what Rd 18 (v University) and beyond holds. Apart from that blemish, the Beach controlled the game and again if not for wayward kicking at goals, the margin could have been greater.
Ruckman Alex Coleman gave first use of the ball to Jayden Black, Caolan O’Connell and Jacob Desmond, who thrived on the clean ball movement. Once forward, Josh Cameron was a constant threat and if his radar was better, he would have doubled his goal tally.
Riley Hinkley at centre half-forward and George McColgan proved too tall and too mobile for their opponents and gave the team great focal points.
When the ball did enter the backline, Shane Duckworth led from the front with terrific rebound attacking footy and was supported well by Michael Duckworth and Jacob Fitzroy.
The Coast to Coast Imports D1-Reserves also proved too strong for the Hawks, winning 9.14 (68) to 3.6 (24).
Sam Zehnder and Mitch Christie, who kicked three goals each. Were central to the performance.
The Beyond Tools E1-Grade were again competitive before falling to Bull Creek Leeming while the GJ Osplumb E3-Grade saw off the challenge of Osborne Park.
Results
O’Rourke Realty A-Grade
Fremantle CBC 1.1 5.2 8.5 14.8 92
North Beach 4.2 5.2 6.2 7.3 45
Goals – North Beach: Edwards, Webster, Piggott, M Irvine, Leishman, McGuinness.
Best – North Beach: M Irvine, Piggott, Leishman, McGuinness, Edwards.
Lifenet A-Reserves
Fremantle CBC 1.2 4.4 5.4 6.4 40
North Beach 1.3 1.5 3.10 4.11 35
Goals – North Beach: Torre 2; Cameron, Swain.
Best – North Beach: Hoskins, Sweeny, Gardiner, Power.
Plasterwise Phil Scott Colts
North Beach 2.2 4.5 6.5 8.5 53
Fremantle CBC 2.1 2.2 4.3 6.6 42
Goals – North Beach: Eaton 4; Davidson, Seidner, Sawyer, Persichitti.
Best – North Beach: Stevens, Gardiner, Clinch, Davidson, Sawyer, Hamilton.
Indi Bar Brett Jones Colts
North Beach 3.8 5.10 8.11 9.13 67
North Frem 0.1 3.2 4.6 7.8 50
Goals – North Beach: Artaud 3; Rollo, Brown 2; Kuppens, Bateup.
Best – North Beach: Blackburn, Dix, Fellows, Pollard, Brown.
Hybrid Linings D1-Grade
North Beach 3.1 7.3 8.7 13.12 90
Mt Lawley 1.0 1.0 4.1 4.1 25
Goals – North Beach: McColgan, Desmond, J Cameron 3; Hall, Hughes, Tickner, C O’Connell.
Best – North Beach: Black, Desmond, Tickner, S Duckworth, K Hughes.
Coast to Coast Imports D1-Reserves
North Beach 3.3 4.8 8.12 9.14 68
Mt Lawley 1.0 2.1 3.1 3.6 24
Goals – North Beach: Christie, Zehnder 3; Viney, Lloyd, Bryce.
Best – North Beach:
Beyond Tools E1-Grade
Bull Creek 2.2 5.4 7.6 8.6 54
North Beach 1.0 2.1 3.3 6.6 42
Goals – North Beach: Allison-Green, Bowden 2; Lazenby, Gardiner.
Best – North Beach: Allison-Green, Harrison, Tait, Jacobs, Clarke, Willis.
GJ Osplumb E3-Grade
North Beach 8.8 (56) def Osborne Park 6.5 (41)
Best – North Beach: Hutchinson, Samuels, Marchin-Vincent, Cuzens, Procak, Harewood.
Galleria Toyota A-Grade women
North Beach 2.1 7.4 11.5 14.12 96
Kingsley 0.1 0.1 1.1 2.1 13
Goals – North Beach: Cosoleto 5; Lindsay, Chiari 3; Maher, Ford, Stewart.
Best – North Beach: Cosoleto, Ford, Maher, Chiari, Lindsay, Duncan.
Grange Residential I-Grade
Willetton 4.4 9.4 10.5 12.9 81
North Beach 0.0 0.1 3.3 3.3 21
Goals – North Beach: Goedsir, Pieters, Williams.
Best – North Beach: Team effort.
