Season 2010 has officially kicked off for the Inverell Saints and it has done so in the best possible way with a resounding 87 point victory over the Narrabri Eagles. The Saints demonstrated some summer rust in the first half before running away with the win in the second. It was a solid team effort and and the perfect way to kick off their premiership campaign.
The first quarter saw the Saints kicking into the wind but they started with plenty of energy and dedication to every contest. Mick Viney took no time to get his defense of the Gerry Griffiths Medal going with an early goal and Luke Selig returned to the Saints by showing his touch in and around the packs. New recruit Corey Wheeler demonstrated his experience by controlling the midfield and Jason Gobbert completely dominated the ruck to have the Saints up by 22 points at the first break and keeping the Eagles goalless in that time.
The second saw the Eagles come back with plenty of vigor and the Saints struggled to match their intensity around the ball. The Eagles were able to put a stop on the forward entries of the Saints and rebounded out nicely to kick a couple of goals and get themselves back into the contest. However the Saints settled and goals to Jack Lawton and Viney put the margin back out to 5 goals at the half.
The Saints were challenged at half time to pick up their game and they responded in the best fashion kicking 6 goals to none in the third. New player Mitch Hall came into his own, getting the job of restricting Eagles captain Duane Shawcross whilst still picking up some valuable touches around the ground. Gary Hadland proved a real spark up front, kicking a couple of beauties to all but put the game to bed.
The final quarter saw both teams pushing through to the final siren and the Eagles were able to put up another couple of goals in the last quarter but another 2 for Viney saw him finish with 7 for the match. Selig was named the Saints best, closely followed by Peter Dunlop who was outstanding in the forward line. Wheeler, Hall, Hadland and Viney rounded out the Saints best.
Next week the Saints face a tough road trip to Gunnedah to face the Bulldogs.
Last Modified on 18/04/2010 09:40