IT WAS day of mixed results for the Catani Blues at Neerim South last Saturday, including losses in two of the three junior games and a large defeat in the reserves before the Blues scored a big win in the seniors.
With a number of players suffering the effects of the flu, the Blues went into the game underdone.
The first quarter was an even affair, Catani scoring 5.2 to 4.3 while both sides played good football. The only downside was when Troy Wilson was taken to hospital after being knocked out in a heavy body clash.
Then Catani asserted control, scoring 8.4 in the second term, four of these by Ben Nobelius, seven goals to nil in the third term and five goals to three for the last, ending with an 86point victory. Andrew Stockx and Paul Whiffin were outstanding, John Entwisle added seven goals to his tally and Nobelius finished with six.
Scores: Catani 25.10.160 d NeerimNeerim South 11.8.74.
Best: Michael Stockx, Josh Tymensen, Aaron and Paul Alger.
RESERVES
The Blues reserves put in a very poor and lack luster performance against NeerimNeerim South. The Blues struggled to come to terms with the pace and commitment of their opponents and, apart form good individual performances looked very much out of the game.
It was a reality check after the good performances in the first three games of the season.
Scores: NeerimNeerim South 10.5.85 d Catani 1.8.14.
Best: Craig Fitzpatrick, George Zekic, Deon Meehl, Tim Grant, Joel Cantwell, Tom Coupe.
UNDER 17
In a hardfought, highstandard game at Neerim South Catani went down by seven points.
Coach Gordon Kitchin commented on a great team effort. Phil Strahan, Daniel Kitchin and Daniel Kerrison ran hard all day in both attack and defence.
Sam Burns and Dustin Peebles were great contributors with their run on the wings. Mark Cardamone, Michael Williams and Nathaniel Wade were all solid in defence. Leigh Jose worked hard again up forward and Blake Matthews and Jay Withers played well.
Scores: NeerimNeerim South 7.8.50 d Catani 6.5.41.
UNDER 15
Catani fought a tough, lowscoring game to come away with the points by a single goal. Catani had trailed for most of the game, their opponents doing well by holding the Blues’ key players for most of the game. But in the final quarter, Russell Lehman managed to break free and score two goals to win the game.
Scores: Catani 3.4.22 d NeerimNeerim South 2.4.16.
Best: Michael Ralph, Vaughan Campbell, Chris Banbury, Tom Hance, Andrew Sabbatucci, Luke Failla.
UNDER 13
The young Catani side faced a bigger and what proved to be a stronger side on the day, and had their first loss of the season.
Scores: NeerimNeerim South 7.6.48 d Catani 0.0.5.
Best: Troy Lehman, Elijah Wade, Luke Hanegraaf, Jamie Evans, Josh Miller, Christopher Marson.
CLUB NOTES
This Saturday, after the game against the Dusties, the netball club will prepare a meal and there will be a night’s entertainment including the club’s second annual racing event.
