SPC 1st XVIII v Ballarat Grammar – 6/6/18

SPC 14.17 (101)- d Ballarat Grammar 3.7 (25)

Best Players: Jack Tillig, Adrian Lawrence, Tom Clark, Nick Stevens, Matty Lloyd, Josh Chatfield

Goals SPC Blue: D. O’Brien 4, K. Counsellor, A. Morrish, I. Grant, F. Marris 2, C. Craig-Peters, M. Lloyd 1

In the final round of the BAS 1^st XVIII competition SPC took on Ballarat Grammar away from home on a windy Wednesday afternoon. SPC won the toss and elected to kick with the wind in the first quarter and hoped to get off to a good start but innacturate kicking to begin with saw SPC only able to register 4 behinds before finally Dean O’Brien kicked truly on his way to 3 first quarter goals. Even with the assistance of a strong breeze SPC only held a four goal buffer at the first change and was being put under some relentless pressure from the oppositon.

Grammar had plenty of chances with the breeze in the 2^nd quarter but the backline trio of Lawrence, Tillig and Stevens played a big part in holding them to a goal repelling many advances. Jack Tillig was impressive off a back flank and gave plenty of drive as he used the ball well from defense.

At half time there were some changes made with Tom Clark moving forward where he was able to work his opponent over and get used through the middle of the ground providing a link between defense and attack. Josh Chatfield was given a chance through the middle and had an immediate impact getting the first two clearances. At times the game was a tight tussle with both teams turning the ball over in tricky conditions but SPC were in control from the beginning. There were some great signs from players who haven’t had a lot of 1^st XVIII experience this year which is promising considering the side is all but set heading into the BAS grand final in two weeks. Well done boys.