Saturday 20 March
marked the beginning of the 2010 season for the Inverell Saints when they
travelled to Armidale to compete in the annual preseason Tablelands Cup. The Saints took a largely inexperienced
line up to the 2 day event, but were far from disgraced once the duct settled
on Sunday afternoon.
The first game on
Saturday saw the Saints face hosts the Nomads and despite a spirited beginning,
the Saints were no match for the switched on boys from Armidale. It was a demonstration of plenty of
rust from the Saints as they were beaten to the ball consistently and lacked
touch in and around the pack.
After being down by 5 goals at the half, the Saints fought back and
controlled most of the second and only inaccurate kicking cost the Saints the
chance to get back into the match.
It was a far more
focussed squad that took to the field for game 2 against the reigning TAFL
Premiers the Tamworth Swans. The
Swans were only attending the carnival on Saturday and as a result played only
half matches against the other 4 teams.
It was the Saints however that controlled the shortened match and
dominated the Swans, winning by 4 goals.
The final game on
Saturday saw the Saints face Norths from Coffs Harbour. Norths were the benchmark of the
competition to that point and it proved no different against the Saints as they
pushed wave after wave toward the Saints goal. But the Saints demonstrated great resolve and withheld the
raids to keep in touch at half time.
In the second half, the Saints were able to control the match and got back
within one goal, however Norths kicked away late the game with their superior
ball movement too much for the Saints to repel any longer.
Sunday morning’s game
against the Nambucca Lions would prove to be Inverell’s last but best game of
the weekend. The Saints finally
got the ball moving as they had hoped to all weekend and totally dominated
possession and field position against the Lions. The margin could have been more than the 7 goal final
result, but once again the Saints got the yips in front of goal and missed a
couple of very gettable goals.
It was a weekend that
the Saints hoped to blood some new players and get a good hit out before the
start of the season proper and this proved to be the case on both points. New recruit Corey Wheeler was
outstanding in all games and proved he will be a valuable addition to the
midfield, whist the return of Jason Gobbert certainly didn’t disappoint. Joe Kimmince tried hard on both days
and Tom Williams and Alex Dasey were instrumental through the midfield.
All thoughts are now
centred on Round 2 of the 2010 TAFL competition when the Saints host the
Narrabri Eagles after having the bye in Round 1.
Last Modified on 22/03/2010 11:08