Melbourne University Sport - News

Full of run, Uni Blues come from behind to defeat Old Scotch in a canter
28/05/07
By Thomas Nickson

Despite trailing at every break, Uni Blues were 26-point victors over Old Scotch in their spirited VAFA A Section clash at Camberwell Sports Ground, on Saturday. In a frustrating game of changing tempos, with neither team able to play consistent football, it was a seven goal to one final term that sealed University’s win. David Paton was the match winner for the Blues, kicking 8 goals, turning over three opponents, and providing a dominant marking target up forward.

Kicking against the wind, a rattled and sluggish Blues were kept goalless in the first quarter. Playing direct and aggressive football through the centre corridor, Old Scotch dictated early proceedings with numbers at the contest and hard running of midfielders Will Lewis, Tim Aurel-Smith and Alistair Pike. As a result, the Blues defence was bombarded throughout the first term. It was only through the Cardinal’s inaccuracy that the scoreboard damage to the Blues by quarter-time was limited to 27 points.

Emerging from the first change, the Blues midfield, through Andrew Solly and Matthew Maltmann, began finding their feet and run. With both teams playing loose in the midfield, sharing clearances from stoppages, the started to flow freely. While both defences hung tough, and midfields run-ragged the ball spent the first ten minutes of the second term bouncing between opposing full-forward lines. Finally, a contested mark then goal to Paton opened the Blues account for the day, translating the Blues’ lift in intensity onto the scoreboard. With confidence rising, University strung together a further four unanswered goals, three of which to Paton, as they took the lead by four points entering time on. Against the flow, Scotch hit back late, with four goals own, including three to full forward James Gertsman. As the siren sounded to end the first half, Old Scotch led Uni Blues 8.5-53 to 6.3-39.

Feeling the pinch from the frenetic first half, the game and players tightened up. Both teams became indirect in their passage to goal, as the ball was forced wide to the wings and pockets. With packs forming at every opportunity, the pace was sucked from the game. The tackle count lifted, as both teams got tough in and around the contest. Drawing closer resemblance to an arm-wrestle, honours were shared in the third term, however the Blues were able to edge a goal closer trailing by only two straight kicks at the final change, 11.7-73 to Old Scotch’s 9.7-61.

With the match in the balance, high-tempo and aggressive football returned much to the spectator’s delight. The Blues through Paton drew first blood, as he marked then goaled to reduce the deficit to one kick. The Cardinals hit back through a roving goal to Lewis, however this was the home-side’s last gasp. The Blues’ midfield stepped up another gear, as the Cardinals started to tire. With a further goal from Paton, and Old Scotch unable to get past their half forward line, University’s confidence began to rise. A match winning chase and tackle by Andrew Lockock, resulted in a Solly goal as the Blues hit the front for the first time midway through the final term. From here the barrage of late goals began, as the Blues ran over the top of the hapless home-side to win, 16.11-107, to 12.9-81.

For the victors, Solly was the only other multiple goal scorer with three, while for the Cardinals James Gerstman walked away with 6 majors.

Earlier in the day, the Blue’s reserves won their fixture over their Old Scotch opponents 10.7-67 to 7.11-53.


Home Membership Facilities Group Fitness Health Services Clubs Sport and Recreation Ski Lodge About Us Contact Us News Archive Merchandise	Full of run, Uni Blues come from behind to defeat Old Scotch in a canter 28/05/07 By Thomas Nickson Despite trailing at every break, Uni Blues were 26-point victors over Old Scotch in their spirited VAFA A Section clash at Camberwell Sports Ground, on Saturday. In a frustrating game of changing tempos, with neither team able to play consistent football, it was a seven goal to one final term that sealed University’s win. David Paton was the match winner for the Blues, kicking 8 goals, turning over three opponents, and providing a dominant marking target up forward. Kicking against the wind, a rattled and sluggish Blues were kept goalless in the first quarter. Playing direct and aggressive football through the centre corridor, Old Scotch dictated early proceedings with numbers at the contest and hard running of midfielders Will Lewis, Tim Aurel-Smith and Alistair Pike. As a result, the Blues defence was bombarded throughout the first term. It was only through the Cardinal’s inaccuracy that the scoreboard damage to the Blues by quarter-time was limited to 27 points. Emerging from the first change, the Blues midfield, through Andrew Solly and Matthew Maltmann, began finding their feet and run. With both teams playing loose in the midfield, sharing clearances from stoppages, the started to flow freely. While both defences hung tough, and midfields run-ragged the ball spent the first ten minutes of the second term bouncing between opposing full-forward lines. Finally, a contested mark then goal to Paton opened the Blues account for the day, translating the Blues’ lift in intensity onto the scoreboard. With confidence rising, University strung together a further four unanswered goals, three of which to Paton, as they took the lead by four points entering time on. Against the flow, Scotch hit back late, with four goals own, including three to full forward James Gertsman. As the siren sounded to end the first half, Old Scotch led Uni Blues 8.5-53 to 6.3-39. Feeling the pinch from the frenetic first half, the game and players tightened up. Both teams became indirect in their passage to goal, as the ball was forced wide to the wings and pockets. With packs forming at every opportunity, the pace was sucked from the game. The tackle count lifted, as both teams got tough in and around the contest. Drawing closer resemblance to an arm-wrestle, honours were shared in the third term, however the Blues were able to edge a goal closer trailing by only two straight kicks at the final change, 11.7-73 to Old Scotch’s 9.7-61. With the match in the balance, high-tempo and aggressive football returned much to the spectator’s delight. The Blues through Paton drew first blood, as he marked then goaled to reduce the deficit to one kick. The Cardinals hit back through a roving goal to Lewis, however this was the home-side’s last gasp. The Blues’ midfield stepped up another gear, as the Cardinals started to tire. With a further goal from Paton, and Old Scotch unable to get past their half forward line, University’s confidence began to rise. A match winning chase and tackle by Andrew Lockock, resulted in a Solly goal as the Blues hit the front for the first time midway through the final term. From here the barrage of late goals began, as the Blues ran over the top of the hapless home-side to win, 16.11-107, to 12.9-81. For the victors, Solly was the only other multiple goal scorer with three, while for the Cardinals James Gerstman walked away with 6 majors. Earlier in the day, the Blue’s reserves won their fixture over their Old Scotch opponents 10.7-67 to 7.11-53.