Club legend Ben Heap will celebrate his 200th game appropriately after last night being recalled to the O’Rourke Realty A-Grade team for the important clash with Fremantle CBC at Charles Riley Reserve tomorrow.
Heap, who has played in eight premierships with North Beach – seven in the A-Grade and also the 2010 A-Reserves premiership when he was best on ground – played the opening game of the season, but suffered a severe cork in the first 10 minutes.
He could not return in that match against Trinity-Aquinas, missed two subsequent games, but has played the last couple of games in the A-Reserves.
His form has been such that he has earned a recall for his big day, in a game the club must win. The Beach currently sits in third position, one position ahead of CBC, who earned promotion after finishing second in the B-Grade competition last year.
Also coming into the team are lively small forward Reece Burns, and tenacious midfielder Robbie McComiskie.
The Credent Financial Services A-Reserves are also looking forward to the challenge of playing against the other undefeated team in the competition. The Beach has rarely been challenged in this grade all season and will provide Michael Pratt and his team with a litmus test.
With a few changes to the A-Grade team, there are some openings in the A-Reserves and players like Mark Foreman and Steve Tindale have earned their opportunities after a series of strong performances in the D1-Grade.
In addition, the highly anticipated club debut will be made by Anthony Baker, who arrived at the club from Victoria several weeks ago.
The Nuchange Phil Scott Colts have hit form in the past three weeks and will look to continue that run in a game against CBC which could see them edge closer to the top five. Their opponents currently hold that position and are six premiership points ahead of the Beach, so it is a terrific opportunity to bridge the gap.
The Townley Group D1-Grade, Clipstar D1-Reserves and Tuck Plumbing Brett Jones Colts all play important matches against University at Percy Doyle Oval.
University are traditionally strong right through the grades and this year is no exception and they sit top two in each of these competitions. The Beach is up for the challenge.
Pana’s Pool Supplies E2-Grade has a bye.
Round 7 Fixtures
O’Rourke Realty A-Grade
North Beach v Fremantle CBC, Charles Riley Reserve, 2.30pm
Credent Financial Services A-Reserves
North Beach v Fremantle CBC, Charles Riley Reserve, 12.35pm
Nuchange Phil Scott Colts
North Beach v Fremantle CBC, Charles Riley Reserve, 10.45am
Townley Group D1-Grade
North Beach v University, Percy Doyle Oval, 2.30pm
Clipstar D1-Reserves
North Beach v University, Percy Doyle Oval, 12.35pm
Tuck Plumbing Brett Jones Colts
North Beach v University, 10.45am, Percy Doyle Oval
Pana’s Pool Supplies E2-Grade
Bye
