It was a funny sort of day at St Patrick’s College on Saturday.

Only 15 players ran out for the reserves, with the scoreboard on the blink and no working BBQ to feed anyone. Gradually things turned out, as the reserves numbers grew to 18 midway through the game, then they came from behind for an excellent win. By the main game we had a BBQ up and running and even the scoreboard was working.

Then Bulleen Templestowe got the early jump on us and kicked the first two goals. We worked our way back into the contest, with Wade prominent and newcomer Berlund snagging a couple, and led at quarter time.

We extended our lead in the second quarter to nearly four goals before the Bullants came back and at halftime the game was looking like a being a real shoot out.

After we kicked the first goal of the third quarter to again hold a comfortable lead the game became a real scrap. A series of horrible turnovers by us then gifted away three goals and the lead at the final change.

The first five minutes of the last quarter were an arm wrestle as no team could score. Then another turnover resulted in a Bullants’ goal and the game was slipping away. The defence then came under extreme pressure as B-T had a number of chances, which they either missed or were repelled. Crucial marks were taken by Tom Hartley and Shepherd on the goal line and Fox was inspirational with a run out of the back half to set up a goal that got us back in the game.

After that we had winners all over the ground for the last 20 minutes. Horsley went to half back and played like Luke Hodge. Christian Ryan repeated his heroics of last year in Ballarat with three late goals. Ezard won clearance after clearance and we kicked the last six goals of the game.

There was an overwhelming feeling of relief at the final siren as we maintained our winning record at St Pat’s and put some distance between us and the bottom two.

Other good players included Murfett who was lively and kicked two goals, while Keown was good again over four quarters.

We return to Gillon Oval this week against Yarra Valley and hope to finish a tough month on a high. See you there.

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