SAAS First XVIII Intercol: Rostrevor comes back to draw with Sacred Heart, Prince Alfred College defeats St Peter’s

An Intercol footy clash between two top rivals has remarkably ended in a draw, while Prince Alfred College stormed past St Peter’s College in the 151st anniversary between the schools. Full match reports.

Two college powerhouses have remarkably drawn their 2022 Intercol game in one of the most dramatic SA college footy outcomes in recent history.

An inaccurate Sacred Heart College relinquished a 17 point halftime lead at home to Rostrevor after a late charge back by the visitors, the final score reading 10.15 (75) to 11.9 (75).

The visitors came out inspired in the second half behind the performance of star player Noah Hyde on the ball and managed to hit the front late, but Sacred Heart responded with immense forward pressure and hit the front through Ned Atkinson in the goal square.

Rostrevor then won the centre clearance but a wayward kick went through for a behind, tying the scores.

A last minute Sacred Heart flurry then ensued but big Rostrevor utility Finn Wakelin took a game saving mark on the siren, players from both sides collapsing in disbelief.

Exhausted Sacred Heart and Rostrevor players collapse in disbelief after their Intercol draw. Picture: Fiming Footy

“It was an unbelievable contest,” Rostrevor coach James Allan said.

“I thought we played really well – we were down at halftime but we looked good so we just changed a couple things and started to prevent them (Sacred Heart) taking easy marks and things flowed our way.

“We’re proud of everyone’s efforts and I’m sure the boys will celebrate or commiserate, whatever happens from here.”

Noah Hyde was a star for the visitors through the second half, attacking the footy with courage in the contest to give his side a contested edge and kicking two important goals – one coming after some fantastic work to keep the ball alive along the boundary.

Darcy Minchella meanwhile was best on ground for Hearts, dictating the ruck to give his mids first use and taking strong marks in the air, while defender Jakob Ryan produced an inspired display to fill in for injured forward Ash Moir up front.

Rostrevor's Noah Hyde in action. Picture: Claude Beltrame

Sacred Heart ruck Darcy Minchella produced a standout display against Rostrevor. Picture: Russell Millard

Sacred Heart coach Jon Symonds said the performance of every player highlighted the quality at the college level.

“What a great advertisement that was for college footy and Intercol,” Symonds said.

“Jimmy’s (Allan) boys put up a hell of a fight and we just couldn’t crack their defence and find that extra score at the end.

“It was a great fight from two colleges who really care. We’re both a bit flat because there’s not a result but it was a great game.”

Sacred Heart will keep the trophy as 2021 winner.

In the day’s other major game, Prince Alfred College defeated St Peter’s College 17.19 (121) to 5.4 (34) in the 151st anniversary between the two rivals.

Prince Alfred celebrates after its 2022 Intercol win over St Peter's. Picture: Peter Argent

Princes got off to a fast start at St Peter’s College, booting six goals in the first term behind star forward Patrick Weckert before Saints responded with three goals of their own.

Billy Dowling was in strong form for the hosts in the second term, creating two goalscoring moves for his school to bring the scores back to 38-32 but the Reds managed to regain the ascendancy in the contest through Kane McAuliffe and Hughen Wissman.

Tireless play from the two star on-ballers as well as Luca Slade saw Princes create countless opportunities for Weckert and other forwards, with Saints unable to register a single goal for the entire second half.

“It was a really good response after losing to Sacred Heart in the grand final a couple weeks ago and we got that full fourth quarter effort we’d asked for,” PAC coach Matt Slade said.

“There was a really big crowd and an amazing atmosphere, there’s 151 years of rivalry between the two schools so we definitely built it up like a grand final and we were thrilled with the result.”