The U19 Premier team lost its first for the year, but the news was pretty solid from around the other grounds. The Seniors and U19 Twos punched their tickets for the finals probably - while the Reserves beat top-placed OMs and the U23 Blacks had another win. The Under 19 Threes did what they had to do, but unfortunately missed the finals by a whisker.

SENIORS

Trips to Elsternwick Park are no new thing for the Old Xaverians, who love playing finals there. This R17 appearance might have meant that the Claret and Stout's season ended next week, but the Red 'n' Blacks soon put paid to any of those notions.

Kicking to the Glenhuntly end, favoured by the breeze, the X-Men bolted early. Julian Soccio ripped holes in the Dark Blues defence n the first term, as the visitors combined brilliantly for a six goal quarter. The Red 'n' Blacks were on top all over the ground, dominating the contests and the game.

OMs had second use of the breeze, but for a short patch, struggled to make headway. Only Xavs' inability to kick a goal for the term kept the game alive, but even so, the Men of Harlech seemed doomed when star ruckman Nick de Steiger went down, followed soon thereafter by strong midfielder Gus Borthwick.

Xavs stretched the lead in the third term, with Ben Bilston-McGillen goaling twice in a minute and his teammates establishing the dominance that had marked the first term. The final term saw the visitors outscore the Redlegs again to take the points with some comfort. News from TH King of a St Kevin's victory has rarely been such good news to Xaverian ears, as the Old Brighton loss means the Xavs are in the four to stay, barring a loss next week to Uni Blues and a tie between the Dark Blues and the Tonners.

James Byrne has managed this month to settle his side somewhat and many players are in season-best form. The Varsity will prove a tough opponent in the final game at the Old Toorak Park, while OMs will limp to Beach Road, hoping to knock over Old Brighton to force a rematch with the X-Men the week after that. Or a tie that could throw Xavs out should they fall to the Varsity.

Goal Kickers: X. Richards 3, J. Soccio 3, C. MacIsaac 2, B. Bilston-McGillen 2, J. Troiani, G. Valles, J. Hewitt

Best Players: J. Soccio, C. MacIsaac, W. Hams, M. Stavrou, J. Kelly, C. Whitehead

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RESERVES

The Red 'n' Blacks defeated Old Melburnians in a quality affair at headquarters and stole top spot back from the Dark Blues. The game was close throughout, but the OMs led at every change. Unusually for games played in the 'Wick wind, the kicking from both tams was accurate. Xavs came home with the breeze and booted five goals while holding the home team to a solitary behind.

Matthew Handley booted five in a BOG effort, while Ben Scala added three to his season tally. Coach Landrigan will be relieved with the team's return to the winners' list, but delighted with the strong performances of a number of players against strong opposition.

Pics here

Goal Kickers: M. Handley 5, B. Scala 3, M. Batten 2, H. Cullity, D. Tuddenham, C. Knott, T. Amad

Best Players: M. Handley, B. Olsson, T. Amad, M. Batten, B. Scala, T. Simmons

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U19 Premier

The Nineteens dropped their first of the year, failing to fire against an Old Brighton team that kept the Xavs at heel for most of the afternoon. When the game was there to be won, it was the Tonners who stepped up, booting four goals to one in the final stanza. Hayden Woodhouse booted four for the vanquished, while Sam Noonan was perhaps the best in a team that, for once, failed to catch fire.

Kim Feneley pics here

Goal Kickers: H. Woodhouse 4, O. Duncan, J. Sassi, D. Fitzgerald

Best Players: S. Noonan, H. Woodhouse, J. Jones, T. Dunne, R. Calvert, K. Walford

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U19 Twos

Andy Batten's Magoos had one of the biggest challenges of he season, needing to win at second-placed Beaumaris to qualify for the finals. They led by 19 points at the long break, but fell silent in the third term and trailed by a point at the lemons. Batty's Boys stormed home with seven last quarter goals to seal a finals' spot in one of the season's more pleasant surprises.

Goal Kickers: J. Sandman 3, A. Ivak 3, M. Doherty, S. Dalton, N. Pozzi, C. Stepnell, W. Macisaac

Best Players: A. Ivak, B. Sherman, C. Stepnell, G. Villiers de Casanove, D. Savage, J. Sandman

U19 Threes

The mathematics were never on the side of the Xavs as they ran out to meet St Bede's Mentone Tigers. Nevertheless, the Red 'n' Blacks set the game alight with a six goal first term and continued the rampage throughout the day to win by 102 points. Not enough, as it transpired, to make the final four, but a super effort to finish the season.  Will Excell booted ten in the rout.

U23 Black

The Blacks warmed up for their second semi-final clash with the OX Reds with a win over Old Geelong at Como. It was a hard-fought and low scoring affair, with Anthony Lamanna and Ed Hummerston being the pick of the crop for the victors.

Pics here

Goal Kickers: T. Barbakos 2, F. McCombe 2, B. Whelan, D. Condon, M. Comito

Best Players: A. Lamanna, E. Hummerston, F. McCombe, J. Kennedy, J. Hansen, P. Cockerill