MONTREAL SAINTS CAUSE POWER OUTAGE

Montréal Saints 2.3 4.8 8.9 12.13 (85)
Pte. Claire Power 1.1 1.4 4.5 5.6 (36)

Goals - Saints: Kyle 6, Lindsay Belzie 3, Ronan Rouxell 1, Mat Wilson 1, Nick Switzer 1.
Power: Chris Lagace 2, Alex Huggett 1, Daniel Barker 1, Martine Julien 1.

Best: Saints: Sam Heath, Kyle, Matt Wilson
Power: Lagace, Ryan Oxley, Tim Nixon.

Match Summary:
With a host of regulars out of the line up both the Saints and Power would both be benefitting from top up players for their round 3 match-up. Heading into the game both teams were locked on 12 premiership points. Their previous round one encounter being decided by a single goal.

The Saints gained the early ascendency thanks to the cameo appearance of 2008 Québec Saints ruckman Ronan Rouxell. Controlling the early ball from the centre and benefitting from some hard running through the corridor from Kyle and Mat Wilson the Saints quickly began to put the Power under pressure. Poor kicking once again proved costly but goals to Mat Wilson and Lindsay Belzie had the Saints in front by 8 at the first change, five scoring shots to two.

The Second quarter belonged to the Saints backline. Sam Heath who has been in career best form on the last line of defence was again at his sparkling best. His efforts along with Aimee Legault helped keep the Power goalless while rookie Kyle Graham put through his first ever ECAFL goal and Lindsay shrugged and spun her way through three opponents to register her second of the day. The Saints by 22 at the main break. The only concern coming out of the Saints camp a possible knee injury to forward Belzie who had been handy up forward with two goals three to half time.

The third term belonged to rookie Kyle Graham of the Saints and Chris Lagace of the Power. Both teams came out hard, the Saints eager to put the game beyond reach and the Power refusing to give in. Trading goal for goal, Lagace kicked two third term majors for the power but was overshadowed by Graham’s three for the Saints. The Saints extending their lead to 28 into the home stretch.

The much anticipated Power last quarter surge never came. By the time Ronan Rouxell had slotted through a classy running goal from twenty-five metres out almost directly in front the margin had blown out to over seven goals. The Saints relentless across the backline once again due to an inspired game from Sam Heath. Belzie kicked her career best third goal of the game, Kyle Graham adding two for a total of six on debut while Martine Julien kicked her first ever ECAFL goal. The Saints taking a strangle hold on top spot with a season’s best 49 point whipping of the Power.