By Gary Stocks
Sometimes it’s just about getting the job done.
On Saturday against Kalamunda, for the O’Rourke Realty North Beach A-Grade combination that was the case. Coach David Hynes might have preferred a more technical, precise performance, but the 20-point victory was gratefully received.
The Beach needed to win – and must continue to do so – to secure a place in the top five and then work on pushing inside the top three. But right now it’s about taking it one step at a time.
In the words of Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu a journey of 1000 miles starts with one step, and this was one pace towards an end goal that appears far in to the future. The good news was that despite failing to produce a free-flowing, clinical brans of football, the Beach did not stub their toe on a boulder.
Eventually, after grinding away for 100 minutes, the Tigers eked out a 12.7 (79) to 9.5 (59) victory to mark the 200th game of club stalwart Steve Bandy.
With Jamie Sajich and Christian Bottechia leading the way up forward, the Beach recovered from an early deficit to snatch the lead in the second term and were never again headed.
Co-captain Anthony Ingham was outstanding in defence while Bandy and Cody Enders were important in providing the midfield impetus required to steer the club to its sixth win from 10 matches and help to create a divide between the top and bottom halves of the ladder.
The Credent Financial Services A-Reserves, after a slow start, controlled the game against the Cougars in a performance that was particularly pleasing with a couple of colts elevated to play and contributing strongly.
The Beach had all the answers and won 15.11 (101) to 5.3 (33), with colt Conor McGuire enjoying a fantastic introduction to senior football by kicking six goals.
Brod Walton was also lively through the midfield, Adam Duff continued his strong run of form in defence, Craig Hall was also consistent throughout and Peter Harvey was a solid performer on a wing.
The Coast to Coast Imports Phil Scott Colts made a similarly slow start, but dominated after quarter time and scored an impressive 49-point victory.
Again some players were exposed to the higher level of colts football and adjusted well. Liam Ellis and Ned Halley were outstanding while Same Zehnder and Brennan Irvine were also strong across the four quarters.
Up forward Mitch Cameron capitalised on the midfield dominance and kicked five goals, while Alex Csar was also opportunistic.
A bus trip to Kalamunda via Kambalda – well at least it felt like that – did nothing to assist the preparation of the third and fourth grade teams. But they were able to recover from sluggish starts and a poor build-up after a 90 minute journey to remain undefeated at the top of the ladder.
The Cabling Network Solutions D1-Grade took a half to shake off the Cougars, but eventually endured by 23 points – 9.4 (58) to 5.5 (35).
Six goals to two after the break saw the Beach power their way to victory on the back of the work of Dean Wilson, Sam Callow and Ben Bubnich, while Mitch Holbrook kicked another five-goal bag.
Time pressures were a concern for the Hybrid Linings D1-Reserves, but they, too, blew away the cobwebs after quarter time and posted a 74-point victory.
The Beach midfield wasn’t prepared to work back and the forwards were unable to convert inside 50 opportunities when they presented in the first quarter.
After the break, however, and some structural adjustments Matt Allan stood up and got the ball going the Beach’s way. Bryon Boys was brilliant, as was Mike Bramley who presented strongly. Shane Piggott was challenged to play in the ruck and excelled in the role while Jon Turner continued a rich vein of form.
The Express Bins E2-grade and the Brett Jones Colts both won on forfeits from West Cowan and Collegians respectively.
Results O’Rourke Realty A-Grade
North Beach 2.1 7.3 10.6 12.7 79
Kalamunda 3.1 4.2 7.3 9.5 59
Goals – North Beach: Bottechia 4; Alone, McDonnell 3; Hack, Webster 1. Best – North Beach: Sajich, Ingham, Bandy, Bottechia, Enders.
Credent Financial Services A-Reserves
North Beach 3.2 6.4 9.7 15.11 101
Kalamunda 1.1 3.2 3.3 5.3 33
Goals – North Beach: McGuire 6; Kernutt 2; Walton, Wynne, Tonus, Harvey, Hall, Collins, Clarke.
Best – North Beach: Walton, Duff, Hall, McGuire, Harvey.
Coast to Coast Imports Phil Scott Colts
North Beach 4.0 6.7 10.8 13.11 89
Kalamunda 5.0 5.0 5.3 6.4 40
Goals – North Beach: Cameron 5; Csar 2; Ekert, Ellis, Halley, Rudrum, Zehnder, Rollo 1.
Best – North Beach: Ellis, Halley, Zehnder, Irvine, O’Gorman.
Cabling Network Solutions D1-Grade
North Beach 1.2 3.2 7.4 9.4 58
Kalamunda 1.3 3.3 3.4 5.5 35
Goals – North Beach: M Holbrook 5; Christie, Flynn 2.
Best – North Beach: Wilson, M Holbrook, Callow, Bubnich.
Hybrid Linings D1-Reserves
North Beach 3.4 6.8 10.11 13.17 95
Kalamunda 1.1 3.1 3.2 3.3 21
Goals – North Beach: Bramley 3; Turner, Kickett, Boys 2; Allan, Barry, Styles, Tincknell 1.
Best – North Beach: Allan, Piggott, Bramley, Turner, Boys.
Brett Jones Colts North Beach def Collegians on forfeit
Express Bins E2-Grade North Beach def West Coast Cowan on forfeit
