The Inverell Saints got back into the winners circle on the weekend with a gritty 11 point win over the Narrabri Eagles at Narrabri. The Saints lead at every change but were challenged strongly after a strong start before coming away with the win.
The Saints welcomed back some old heads for the match with Darren Pithers, Bruce Wall, Mick Viney, Fraser Hughes, Keiran Te Velde and Mick Corcoran all back into the lineup. The Saints also welcomed newcomer Mike Gould who was playing his first match since moving from WA. Bolstered by these ins, the Saints flew out of the blocks kicking 7 goals in the opening quarter, easily making it their best quarter for the year. With the aid of the breeze, the Saints lead by 31 points at the first break.
During the second the Eagles rallied and the Saints has Wall yellow carded, which saw the Saints lead start to evaporate. Only some grim defense from Pithers and Sam Kimmince was keeping the Eagles at bay, with a 2 goal margin at the long break.
Stand in coach Dick Gleeson asked his troops for more in the third, and the match started to become a grind it out affair the Saints usually revel in. The Eagles are a much improved side this year and they continued to come at the Saints with the margin headed into the last change standing at a straight kick.
The Saints started the fourth kicking the first 2 goals to put a bit of a margin between themselves and the Eagles and again the match became an arm wrestle. The Saints were able to hold on and record just their second win of the season by 11 points.
Pithers, Corcoran and Gould were among the best as was Corey Borthwick , Justin Pay and Russell Brien. Captain Chirs Whitton was the leading goal kicker with 5 majors.
The Saints now turn their attention to the Bulldogs who they will welcome to Varley Oval this Saturday.
Last Modified on 22/06/2011 11:25