The Inverell Saints saw their 5 game winning streak snapped in Tamworth against the top of the table Roos in Round 12 of the EE TAFL. Despite a gallant effort for the men from Inverell, the Saints couldn't claw back a large deficit in the last quarter to fall by 8 points.
The match started in resonably good conditions however the Saints found themselves kicking into a three goal breeze in the first quarter. Despite this, the Saints got off to a strong start, kicking the first two goals of the quarter to take the early lead. However, true to form, the Roos struck back and piled on the pressure to the Saints backline which was unable to stem the flow of quality ball being delivered to Cam Douglas and Co with the Roos taking the lead into the first change. The 14 point deficit could easily have been more but the Saints went in to first change upbeat nontheless.
Kikcing with the aid of the wind in the second, the aints proved they are no spent force in the competition in 2011. They had the better of general play and at times had the ball locked in the Roos backline for periods of time. They conveted this pressure to goals, kicking 6 majors to 2 for the quarter to set up a handy 7 point half time lead.
The third quarter was always going to be a big one in this match and it proved to be the killer for the Saints as the Roos played the more disciplined footy and opened up a 3 goal lead at the final change on the back of a 5 goals to 1 quarter. The Saints one highlight for the quarter was a brilliant running goal by first year player Scott Fermor however it was not enough to inspire his teammates as the game looked to be getting out of hand.
Needing a nig lst 25 minutes, the Saints started the last quarter poorly, giving up the first 2 goals of the quarter to te Roos and to see the lead slip past 5 goals. However the Saints were not done with yet, and kicked the next 5 goals of the match and when Stew Walker snapped his 7th for the game with 2 minutes left the Saints were back to just 2 points behind. A late Roos goal sealed the result, but the Saints can take some heart from the performace that they are back playing close to their best footy at the business end of the season.
Walker was again the Saints best, ably supported by Leigh Turner in the ruck and Jono Elphick who ignited the last quarter from the middle. The Saints now face a a big game at home to the Eagles to look to shore up 3rd place next weekend.
Last Modified on 19/08/2011 16:32