By Gary Stocks
The brave campaign of the Cost to Coast Imports Phil Scott Colts fell agonisingly short at Lathlain Park on Saturday.

After a bold effort, the Beach fell to University, who had been the competition benchmark all season, in the grand final, losing 8.12 (60) to 8.4 (52).

The Beach looked the goods in the first quarter when, despite kicking against a stiff breeze, they led by 11 points at the first change. The tackling pressure of the Tigers was ferocious and forced University into error.

They created countless turnovers because of the aggressive attack on both ball and opponent and  kicked 4.1 to 2.2 in the opening 20 minutes.

With that pressure coming through the midfield, courtesy of players like Jamie Rudrum, Nick Bowe and Joel Brown, the Beach also had a couple of imposing targets up forward where Nathan Adler and Mitch Cameron were ubiquitous.

Defensively Jack O’Gorman, Jarrod Chapman and Jack Dalton were uncompromising and it meant the Beach had winners all over the ground.

They did not capitalise on their opportunity with the breeze, but still led by seven point at the main break.

The Beach knew University would come and the students played an outstanding second half, kicking four goals to two to claim back-to-back A Colts premierships.

North Beach still had opportunities to claim the result, but needed everything to go right, particularly in the last term.

Unfortunately that did not happen, a couple of set shot chances went begging and the nail in the coffin came when Chapman attacked a floating ball from University as it came towards their attacking goal.

He could not cover the ground to smother the footy, it landed on its point, bounced sideways and a University forward, who had trailed Chapman to the ball, found it landing in his arms and he ran into an open goal to kick the sealer.

Despite the loss, it was a terrific season for the colts group – the Brett Jones Colts also made the finals – and there is some terrific talent within the group.

Of course, the aim is to win the premiership, but it remain ned a successful campaign. Coach Craig Dalton, his support staff and the players deserve great credit.

Match details
Coast to Coast Imports Phil Scott Colts
Grand Final
University           2.2          4.5          6.10        8.12        60
North Beach       4.1          6.1          7.2          8.4          52
Goals – North Beach: Cameron, Adler 3; Zehnder, O’Gorman 1.
Best – North Beach: Chapman, Adler, Brown, O’Gorman, Cameron, Bowe.