CAULFIELD GRAMMARIANS 12.15.87 def OLD HAILEYBURY 7.7.49

Goals: Poulter 4, Strain 2, Bowes, Fagan, Scott, Winter, Beveridge, Murphy

Best: Schroth, Noblett, Poulter, Beveridge, Strain, Winter

Starting the year with 2 losses certainly placed the Caulfield reserves in a position of their season being on the line, should they lose Round 3 to an equally disappointing Old Haileybury. However with the Bloods having a long history of poor reserves and with the inclusion of some senior players, the confidence going in to the game was high. The Fields started relatively well and an early goal to ‘Buddy’ Poulter looked to set the tone. Unfortunately their accuracy didn’t meet the intensity of their tackling and harassing in the forward line, as numerous chances to put Haileybury away early were wasted. Nobblet again had the ruck well covered, while Schroth and ‘Eddie’ Murphy were providing the grunt out of the middle.

A 16 point quarter time lead was a solid start, however the Fields dropped the pressure off and allowed the Bloods back into the game, early in the 2nd quarter. Old Haileybury manufactured 2 goals out of some hard work around the ground and certainly looked to have wrestled the momentum away from the Fields. A late quarter spark saw Caulfield kick away again with 2 goals in a matter of minutes. The introduction of Ben Gross was key in this small revival. But the 11 point half time lead was looking shaky.

Some reorganisation by Jimbo at the main break saw Caulfield take a mildly different shape, and the lads certainly looked more willing at the contest. While still wasting some chances in front of goals, the Fields piled on 4 goals for the quarter, including a nice snap from Josh Beveridge. Nobblet & Strain provided some new options up forward, while Murphy continued to endear himself to another opposition side. Although I am sure half the Bloods forward line were grateful for directions to Elsternwick McDonalds.

Old Haileybury were still yapping away at the last break, but that was about all the puff they had left. The Fields controlled the last quarter and by the time ‘Buddy’ Poulter put through his fourth the game was over. Betting has now been suspended on Poulter winning the reserves goal kicking. Handy late conversions to Strain and reinvigorated Chris Fagan were the icing on the cake on the Fields as they ran away with their first win of the season by 38 points.

Winless Marcellin are now up next for the rampaging Fields and they should go into the contest with some genuine confidence, despite the away venue. The season was saved this week, let’s see how they go about grabbing a spot in the top four. Highlight of the game was undoubtedly ‘Snake’ Dorman’s attempted balk that resulted in him winding one of the Bloods with vicious head but to the sternum.