By Gary Stocks

North Beach kept alive its prospects of securing a top two finish with a convincing 89-point win over lowly Wesley-Curtin at Charles Riley Reserve last Saturday.

The Beach got away to a flier and was never threatened through the course of the game, producing a consistent four-quarter effort with all players contributing.

Ruckmen Joe Boys and Alex Hack gave the Beach first use of the ball and running players Kyle Riemann, Josh McGinnity and Mitch Dwyer relished the opportunities while up forward Jackson Harwood and Ben Wilson kicked four goals each and were lively, along with spearhead Cale Potts.

It was an emphatic performance which also saw colts star Ryan Antonelli elevated to make his senior debut.

The A-Reserves, also set up victory with a stunning first-quarter performance, skipping out to a five-goal lead by quarter time. Wesley Curtin pegged back that margin to eventually win by 23 points, but never lost their grip on the game.

Forwards Chris Perkin and Dan Leishman were again prominent while another veteran resuming in the twos, Tom McNeill was outstanding. Jake Robinson, Dylan Niblett, Scott Holbrook and Kent Traeger were also solid contributors.

That performance puts the A-Reserves in third position on the ladder just a game behind ladder leader University and will ensure an intriguing run to the finals.

Unfortunately, the winning form of the senior teams did not stretch right through the grades, with the thirds and fourths suffering comprehensive defeats at the hands of top team University.

The fifths, however, tasted success once again with an 86-point demolition of Wesley Curtin, winning 19.13 (127) to 6.5 (41).

The colts returned two outstanding victories with the Phil Scott team scoring a thrilling 18-point win over the second placed Wesley Curtin in a high calibre encounter.

There were outstanding players all over the ground, the ascendancy started in the middle through the work of ruckman Ben deRosa, while captain Kris Hackett, centreman Antonelli, half-backs Shane Fullwood and Mark Langsford and wingman Ned Melvin all having an impact on the contest.

The Brett Jones Colts, meanwhile, demolished Wesley Curtin 26.12 (168) to 4.6 (30) which puts them well and truly in the finals mix.

Mitch Christie, Aaron Botica and James Foley did much to set up the victory with clean and porecise delivery inside a potent forward 50.         

A-Grade
North Beach       5.2         10.8       14.11     18.15     123
Wesley Curtin     1.2           3.2          4.4         4.8         32
Goals – North Beach: Harwood, Wilson 4; Potts 3; Cunningham, Antonelli, Dwyer, Ingham, Stott, Turner, Witheridge 1.
Best – North Beach: Boys, Riemann, McGinnity, Hack.

A-Reserves
North Beach       5.1         6.3         10.3       11.5       71
Wesley Curtin     0.1         1.9         4.10      6.12      48
Goals – North Beach: Perkin, Leishman 3; Griffiths 2; R McComiskie, Brooks, Edwards 1.
Best – North Beach: McNeill, Robinson, Niblett, S Holbrook, Traeger.

D1
North Fremantle 19.20 (134) def North Beach 2.5 (17)

D1-Reserves
North Frem         5.2         12.6       15.8       20.10     130
North Beach       0.1         0.2         2.2         2.3         15
Goals – North Beach: Hocking 2.
Best – North Beach: Hocking, Pyke, van Der Kraats, T Wilson.

E2
North Beach 19.13 (127) def Wesley Curtin 6.5 (41)

Phil Scott Colts
North Beach       1.3         5.3         7.6         9.6         60
Wesley Curtin     1.1         2.3         4.4         6.6         42
Goals – North Beach: Kickett 3; Knott 2; Hackett, Mead, Ostle, Waymouth 1.
Best – North Beach: Fullwood, M Langsford, Melvin, Cosgrove, Antonelli.

Brett Jones Colts
North Beach 26.12 (168) d Wesley Curtin 4.6 (30)