Victorian Amateur Football Association: St Kevin’s Old Boys overcomes early hiccups to get the better of Old Trinity

Despite struggling in the wet early, St Kevin’s Old Boys went up a notch when it counted against Old Trinity

St Kevin’s Jarrad Waite takes on Old Trinity on Saturday. Picture: Mark Dadswell

St Kevin’s Old Boys clawed its way back in a hard-fought Premier battle against Old Trinity at St Kevin’s College on Saturday.

After some early hiccups in the wet conditions, SKOBs eventually found their footing and, after gaining the upper hand, moved away to a 15.11 (101) to 11.7 (73) win.

With the fear of relegation looming large, Old Trinity looked hungry for victory during the first three quarters.

But St Kevin’s adept forward line broke out into some welcome breathing space in the final term.

The inclement weather held SKOBs back according to senior coach Guy Martyn.

“I thought (Old Trinity) played the conditions better than us early,” he said.

“It was a bit wet and we were trying to play dry weather footy. Sometimes it just takes a little bit of time to realise the conditions and actually play in them.”

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St Kevin’s coach Guy Martyn calls the shots. Picture: Mark Dadswell

St Kevin’s eventually upped their tempo, proving just why it has claimed the past two premiership flags.

Zachary Ginies and Billy Kanakis both kicked four goals, giving St Kevin’s the edge.

“I thought (Kanakis) had a quiet day,” Martyn said. “But he had 28 touches and kicked four goals, so it just goes to show the expectations we have of him.”

Midfielder Luke Andrews was another vital piece of the St Kevin’s machinery, making a huge difference in just his second senior game of the year after missing all of last season.

“He changed the way in the midfield.

“He battled hard in there against a midfield I probably thought was on top of us,” Martyn said.

“We should only get stronger going into next week.”

Also in Premier this week, Old Xaverians monstered De La Salle 22.17 (149) to 4.4 (28) at Waverley Oval.

In Premier B, Old Scotch played impressively against Old Haileyburians and won 13.12 (90) to 4.10 (34) on the Scotch College Oval.

Old Camberwell Grammarians lost by just a goal in a low scoring Premier C match against Ormond, 6.9 (45) to 6.3 (39), at Gordon Barnard Reserve.

In Division 1, St Mary’s Salesian attacked hard against Old Paradians, winning 15.16 (106) to 7.8 (50), while Kew impressed against West Brunswick, 15.12 (102) to 5.3 (33).

Canterbury was too strong for Parkside, 11.7 (73) to 8.10 (58), in their Division 3 clash at Pitcher Park.

Hawthorn had the week off courtesy of the Division 2 bye.

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