By Gary Stocks
It has been a tough start for the O’Rourke Realty A-Grade team. And things don’t get bet much easier!
After slipping to three consecutive losses, leaving the club at 1-3 after four rounds, North Beach this week confronts the highly-regarded Trinity Aquinas.
The competition is still sorting itself out, but Trinity Aquinas are always competitive across all grades and are club for whom North Beach has the utmost respect. Having said that, it is likely to be mutual but once the players cross the line it’s ‘game on.’
Coach David Hynes and the players have worked diligently, both through the pre-season and the early part of the year with little to show for it on the premiership table, but there is a sense the group is building.
If the Beach could snatch a win, like this week’s encounter, and the club could get on a roll.
There is no doubting the talent within the team, but the challenge has been in bringing so many new faces into the combination and getting them to understand each other and gel as a team. There have been times when they have clicked, only it hasn’t been for long enough.
The first indication came with a blissful eight-goal third quarter in the opening round against Swan Athletic, but that cohesion and efficiency has not since been repeated.
Again, in search of the optimum performance, the Beach has made several changes with a couple of exciting inclusions. Experienced utility player Jamie Sajich, defender Alastair Clark and forward Sascha Kernutt among them.
With the game being played at Percy Doyle, the club’s temporary home, that will provide some advantage and the players will be encouraged to maintain the game plan, but to attack the contest.
While the A-Grade are working to produce their best football, which will win games, the other grades are going along nicely.
Virtually all of them are nestled in the top two at this early stage, but the same could be said across the board as the Beach prepares to play Trinity-Aquinas across six grades, with the Express Bins E2-Grade playing Ballajura.
Round 5 Fixtures
Saturday, May 17, 2014
O’Rourke Realty A-Grade
North Beach v Trinity Aquinas, Percy Doyle Oval, 2.30pm
Credent Financial Services A-Reserves
North Beach v Trinity Aquinas, Percy Doyle, 12.35pm
Coast to Coast Imports Phil Scott Colts
North Beach v Trinity Aquinas, Percy Doyle, 10.45am
Cabling Network Solutions D1-Grade
Trinity-Aquinas v North Beach, Bill Grayden Reserve, 2.30pm
Hybrid Linings D1-Reserves
Trinity-Aquinas v North Beach, Bill Grayden Reserve, 12.35pm
Brett Jones Colts
Trinity Aquinas v North Beach, Bill Grayden Reserve, 10.45am
Express Bins E2-Grade
Ballajura v North Beach, Kingfisher Oval, 2.30pm
