Saints shine but fall short against Central Blues in 'Parker-Anderson' Cup

Central Blues 0.0 1.2 1.4 5.4 (34) defeated
Quebec Saints 1.4 2.4 3.5 3.5 (23)

Goals: C.Theis 1, M.Wood 1, PJ Devine 1.
Best: C.Stark, R.Shaughnessy, V.Pottier, PJ Devine, S.Shearer, S.Claney

The Saints made their way to the home of Aussie Rules in Canada, Humber North Toronto last week with an eye on securing their first OAFL Div2 victory. The game had been talked up for weeks as memories of last years defeat had still left a sour taste in the mouths of the Navy Blues. With the welcome addition of three London AFC players in the line-up the Saints got to work on their quest for the 'Parker-Anderson Cup'.

The boys from Quebec showed that launching out of the blockswas no fluke last time out as they dominated play from the outset. The usual suspects of Stark, Shaughnessy, Wood and Coyne ran circles around the more experienced Blues line-up while French import Chris Theis impressed up forward with some very classy marks.
Again the Saints were wasteful in front of goal, doing all the hard work but unable to captilise on the scoreboard. A goal to Matthew Wood the only for the quarter. The Saints managed to keep the Blues scoreless and earn themselves a 10 point lead. Sean Claney had come out of retirement for the match and showed he'd lost none of his touch ruling the half-back line like days of old. The Blues fought back in the second, but some more impressive play from Chris Theis including his first everAussie Rules goal had the Saints a neat 8 points in front at the half. Coach Williams sidelined with a knee injury kept the troops revved up and the early running in the third looked as though it might finally be the Saints day. A goal to PJ Devine extended the Saints lead as they continued to outpace the Blues. The Saints going inside 50 time and time again but with spearhead forward Williams on the sidelines the rookie forward line who had been lively early found it hard to break the shackles of the Blues backline. Stark continued to dominate in the midfield, Matthew Wood who had absolute control in the ruck also went about collecting his 20+ possesions around the ground.

James-Robert Theis, usually found rucking or up forward kicking goals found himself down back and was showing that it didn't matter where he was on the field he would make an impact. Vincent Pottier was putting in a stellar performance, proving that work done off the ball is just as valuable as that done with it as he put hit after hit on the battered Blues paving the way for the Saints running brigade. The Saints ended the third quarter 13 points ahead, the gane far from over though as the Blues large bench had been utilized all day and plenty of the Central Blues players still had plenty of run left.

The Blues came out strong in the last quarter, fresh legs and a few big 'ins' namely former Saint (traitor!!!) Jaye Macumber saw the Toronto team start to gather steam against a tiring Quebec side. London recruit Shane Shearer continued to impress for the Saints, marking well over head and gathering some valuable possesions but some questionable umpiring decisions directly in front of goal gave the Blues a huge wave of momentum as they converted on their good fortune, first cutting the defecit, then hitting the lead with another freebie right in front. Hopes dimmed as Saint midfield star Shaughnessy went down with cramp but the Bleu and Blanc still managed to surge forward again. Lacking a focal point up forward the Saints couldn't penetrate the Blues solid defence and would fail to score in the last quarter. The Saints losing the match but gaining the respect of the OAFL with yet another fantastic performance on the big stage.