Tahs continue winning run
WARATAH ended a long run of outs against St Mary’s when they beat them by 19 points at TIO Stadium last night.
The more experienced Tahs side moved into fourth position on the Premier League ladder with their 9.16 (70) to 8.3 (51) win on a slippery surface at NTFL headquarters.
Tahs coach Michael McLean was full of praise for his players, despite lamenting a five-minute spell at the end of the game when St Mary’s booted three goals to add some respectability to their score.
“It was a great win even though we almost lost our way there right at the end,’’ he said.
“We had plenty of blokes out, but we wanted to give our best effort to end the year and I’m really proud of the boys.’’
Last night’s win stretched Tahs’ unbeaten run to four matches since losing to the Tiwi Bombers at Gardens Oval in Round 7.
Wins over Wanderers, Southern Districts and St Mary’s, combined with a last gasp draw against Palmerston have added some steel to the side.
“There’s a lot of belief there now and the knowledge we can be competitive against any side,’’ McLean said.
They wasted several scoring opportunities in the first quarter, one goal from six shots at goal was a poor return for a side that dominated general play.
St Mary’s booted the first two goals of the second quarter through a Henry Labastida snap and a Peter MacFarlane mark and goal after some good work by Anthony Hale, and looked set to make Tahs pay for their inaccuracy.
But the red and white jumpers always looked dangerous in general play, Brodie Carroll, Errol McConnell, Abe Ankers and Brock Orval finding a lot of the greasy football.
Jamie Smith in front of goals was a focal point, despite his goalkicking radar being out of adjustment until the last term when he booted a goal on the line and another one from a long way out.
St Mary’s fielded an inexperienced side and lacked the poise associated with several Saints down the years, particularly through the second and last quarters when Tahs’ run and carry produced seven of their nine goals. WARATAH V ST MARY’S BEST 1.5 5.8 6.13 9.16 1.2 3.2 4.3 8.3 GOALS UMPIRES