By Gary Stocks
Sirens, damn sirens! Two games down and the timing of the hooter has not yet worked in favour of the Beach.
In round one had the final bell sounded 30 seconds early, the Beach would have upset reigning premier University. At John Dunn Reserve last Saturday, an ill-timed interruption to the second quarter spelled the end to the first half, just when the Beach had momentum.
After Kelmscott had exploded out of the blocks, kicking the first six goals, North Beach found their mojo, took control of the game and were trailing by just one straight kick when the curtain fell on the second stanza.
The Beach never regained control of the game, although they did have the balance of play in the initial stages of the third term. Only, where they had been precise and clinical in the second quarter, they botched the dominance after the break, turned the ball over and breathed life back into the Bulldogs.
Kelmscott, after looking down and out just before the half, found their second wind, capitalised on the North Beach turn-overs and created relief on the scoreboard.
In the end the Beach suffered a 29-point defeat despite the best endeavours of senior players like Jamie Sajich, who was important when switched from attack to half-back, midfielders Michael Italiano, Lewy Davies and Andrew Nunan and young defenders Jack O’Gorman and Jarred Chapman.
Skipper Beau Witheridge also led by example with Arran Goddard-Nash particularly prominent in the second quarter onslaught. Forward Mark Foreman also did his bit with three goals and in tandem with Christian Bottechia provided a target up forward.
Earlier the Credent Financial Services A-Reserves produced a clinical display to coast to a 71-point victory.
They had winners all over the ground and a functioning forward line worked over the opposition defence. Mitch Cameron, Joel Fishlock, Ryan Eckert and Ben Wilson worked brilliantly together and maximised opportunities.
Through the midfield Kris Hackett continued his outstanding start to the year along with Peter Harvey and ruckman Alex Hack while defender Tyler Vick thwarted many opposition attacking moves and then offered strong defensive rebound.
The Coast to Coast Imports Phil Scott Colts started the day at John Dunn Reserve in impeccable fashion with a near flawless display on the way to a comprehensive 70-point win – 16.14 (110) to 6.4 (40).
It was a much improved effort on the start to the season when they were outpointed by University and responded brilliantly, with each player performing his role and playing a selfless team game.
Tim Edwards, Ben Evans, Jack Dalton and Adam Swain ensured a flood of opportunities were created for an efficient forward line, where Nathan Adler capitalised with a seven-goal bag.
The Cabling Network Solutions D1-Grade produced a solid team performance to completely dominate Mt Lawley on the way to a 98-point romp.
Nick Reid was instrumental in setting up the dominance with a terrific effort through the midfield and he found many allies across all lines with Adam Miotti, Aaron Miller, Mitch Christie and Earl Quinlan all making strong contributions.
The Hybrid Linings D1-Reserves, with a neat blend of youth and experience, carved out a similarly impressive victory over Mt Lawley, controlling the game from start to finish.
Joe Boys, Cale Potts, who kicked three goals in the opening half, Deon Jacobs, Khalil Campbell and Taylor Green were all influential as the Beach powered to a 56-point triumph.
The Express Bins E2-Grade were always in charge in a 38-point victory, but coach Novak Smith is looking for four quarters after the Beach coasted a little in the second half.
Michael Quartermaine, Marc Gangemi and Tony Mirible were simply outstanding while Tim Cavanagh and Steve Jopson were solid throughout.
O’Rourke Realty A-Grade
Kelmscott 4.4 7.6 10.10 13.14 92
North Beach 0.2 6.6 7.8 9.9 63
Goals – North Beach: Foreman 3; Brown, Davies, Holden, Italiano, Bottechia, Webster.
Best – North Beach: Sajich, Davies, Italiano, Nunan, Goddard-Nash, Witheridge.
Credent Financial Services A-Reserves
North Beach 5.4 7.6 12.7 16.13 109
Kelmscott 0.2 2.3 3.8 5.8 38
Goals – North Beach: Cameron, Fishlock, Harvey 3; Morgan, M Irvine 2; B Irvine, Wilson, Billi.
Best – North Beach: Hackett, M Irvine, Harvey, Hack, Vick.
Coast to Coast Imports Phil Scott Colts
North Beach 5.5 8.9 13.10 16.14 110
Kelmscott 0.0 3.0 4.0 6.4 40
Goals – North Beach: Adler 7; Borszeky, Swain 2;Herbers, Higgins, Hoffman, Shaw, Doyle.
Best – North Beach: Edwards, Evans, Dalton, Swain, Adler, Harbers.
Cabling Network Solutions D1-Grade
North Beach 3.7 6.11 11.13 17.15 117
Mt Lawley 1.0 1.0 2.1 3.1 19
Goals – North Beach: Christie 3; Mioti, Reid, Tonus, Zehnder 2; Bubnich, Ellis, Messenger, Pearce, Quinlan, Spencer.
Best – North Beach: Reid, Miotti, Miller, Christie, Quinlan.
Hybrid Linings D1-Reserves
North Beach 5.0 7.2 9.4 13.7 85
Mt Lawley 0.2 1.5 1.5 4.5 29
Goals – North Beach: Potts 3; Campbell, Clapham, Duim 2; J Boys, E Cuzens, McGuire, Orr-Young.
Best – North Beach: Campbell, J Boys, Taylor, Green, Potts, Jacobs.
Express Bins E1-Grade
North Beach 4.1 9.1 9.4 10.5 65
Quinns 0.2 2.4 3.7 3.9 27
Goals – North Beach: Jopson 4; Smith, Evans, Cheetham, Missikos, Gangemi, O Collins.
Best – North Beach: Quartermaine, Miribile, Gangemi, Jopson, T Cavanagh.