08.09.2008 Rohan
Williams
The Sydney University Reserves
are still alive in the finals of the 2008 AFL Sydney Premier Reserves Division
after a 41-point upset over UNSW/Eastern Suburbs in the semi-final at Henson
Park on Sunday.
Sydney University
started slowly against their higher-ranked opposition, and could only manage
two behinds in the first quarter, going into the break trailing by 13 points.
The second quarter was more competitive, with Sydney University scoring 4 goals
to 3 goals 4 behinds for UNSW/ES. At half time, they were trailing 37-26 and
had to improve considerably if they wanted to prolong their stay in the
competition.
And improve they did.
Sydney University dominated the third and fourth quarters, allowing UNSW/ES,
the second best attacking team in the competition, only four scoring shots in
40 minutes and shutting them out of the match. Once they had their defence in
working order, their attack flowed freely. They kicked ten goals to four in the
second half, outscoring UNSW/ES five goals to one in the final quarter to run
out winners 14.13.97 to 8.8.56.
Sam Crichton kicked
five goals in the match to bring his total to 24 from just 12 matches this
season. Mark Stewart and Chris Walsh scored two each, with Aaron Hawkins,
Nathan Bibby, Paul Yoonan, Benjamin Fletcher and Andrew Connor also kicking
goals.
Some of the teams most consistent
performers all year, Andrew Unsworth, Paul Younan, Thomas Smith, Luke Higgins,
Angus Wilson and Tony Ly were named best players for Sydney University in the
match. Higgins has been named in the best players group in 12 out of his 18
matches this season, Younan eight times, Smith and Ly five times, and Unsworth
and Wilson four times.
They will face Pennant
Hills at Henson Park next Sunday for a spot in the Grand Final the following
weekend.
