SAABL Round 9

    DATES

•     Midseason Pub Crawl: BOOKED FOR THE 4TH of OCTOBER  (Sunday of Long Weekend)
•     Mid-December beach day at Glenelg (Specific date TBA)
•     Player's Player x Club Lunch 14th of November 

SAABL DIVISION 1

A's ROUND 9 by Brandon

Reds vs SPOC 53-75 

As you can guess, the Reds didn't particularly come out to play much against these Saints because we had won the important one the night before so they can jog on. Anyway, we started off well in terms of our team ball movement but some of our shots just weren't falling. Our transition D really hurt us through out the game which was to be expected. We made a run in the second-half with all guns blazing with every single player doing what they do best. Dario and Selfy led the scoring charge with Foo getting some transition buckets. Jang was great in this game crashing the boards, assisting and hitting his elbow J, a bright spot in an otherwise dull performance overall. We got it within 8 but fell away in the last 10 minutes of the game. Hopefully for next week against The Schvitz we can sustain that type of effort we experienced for that part of the 2nd half. (We did, we played a lot better I'm writing this after both games and it was great effort from all the guys..Good signs)

 Points: Jang and Dario 11, Self 10

         SAABL DIVISION 2/3

B's

ROUND 9 By Mike
Reds vs SPOC 40-40

 The Dark Lord Sauron (Bill), had deceived man, and suited many bench players as starters in the grades below at Intercol for years passed. It was only when the Dwarves (Palk), humans (Sean Heylen) and Elves (Liam Golding) united they were once able to thwart the Dark Lord. However, his power was still tied to the Ring (Strangways Cup), and he would muster his forces once again. 

The cup now resides with the most unlikely of underdogs a hobbit by the name of James Baker, a simple being with unmown lawn and out of date milk would treat this cup as a plaything. But wise Gandalf (Phil) knew the ring would need to be destroyed, once and for all. The collected a team of champions, Legolas (Sibly), Gimli (Angus), Boromir (Krantz), Aragorn (Noah) and Hobbits Mary, Pippen (Baker), Frodo (Mike) and Sam (The whole team) to escort the cup and put an end to the evil Orc (Saints) empire.

The Dark lord has ghostly servants (Ben Bishop is pale as hell), once lords of men, now tied to the same fate as Sauron. They also had once ring bearer, Gollum (Ali Mac) who choked his chance at keeping it last year. 

The trek to Mount Doom (St Claire 4pm timeslot victory) would be a treacherous one, and they would need to outsmart Saruman (Will Good). Would Reds take the high road across the mountains (play man on man), or would they take the path underneath through the Mines of Moria (play hungover zone defence and hope for the best). 

The Mines seemed like the best option, as the fellowship was exhausted and small in number. Despite being outnumbered, the fellowship took advantage of skill and the tight environment, Aragorn showing his prowess in many forms (fast breaks and jump shots) defeating a troll (Ed Gilmartin), Gandalf causing some damage up close whilst also getting a number of blows (free throws) to the unsuspecting goblins. Despite a long distance polearm attack from the Troll, Frodo had a few surprises of his own, showing mithril amour (Mike hit a couple 3’s and some other jump shots). 

The fight was won, but not the war, as the fellowship would now try and outrun the Balrog that was unearthed by the dwarves (Saints rallied and had momentum in the second half). The escape from Moria was altered in the movie as the writers seemed to be deciphering the book in different ways (The referees were inconsistent and difficult to play to). Gandalf did his best to rally the group, “fly you fools,” as Boromir, Gimli and Legolas would get the rest of the team out safely (Krantz, Gussy and Tim would all hit shots to keep us in the lead). Unfortunately an ambush lakeside would have the fellowship split, The ring got escorted across the river (to the pub) to safety but at what cost? 

Frodo would escape to the other side of the river “I’m going alone” (to the pub).

Sam (the whole team), “I know you are, and I’ll come too.” (almost drowning).

Points: Tim 11, Noah 10  

 SAABL DIVISION 4/5

C's

ROUND 9 by Morgan

Reds vs Pick and Pop 49-43

It was a odd game. Odd in the way that everyone on the PAC squad was hung over or spent from the night before. So far from being our usual running ADD selves as we all played INTERCOL. I was nearly asleep for the whole game so I don’t recall much but I know I didn’t jump once. One of the Higham brothers hurt his foot before the game so the other felt the need to sprain his ankle so they could be more like the other again I am sure. Harry played more great defence and hit a couple of three’s. John once again hit toe over two’s Pritchard had many steals and ran the ball well. Lachlan worked hard under the ring getting rebounds and hitting a few two’s. Morgan was to lazy and just pushed people around until getting up to four fouls. Any other Saturday we would have beaten them but our turn overs particularly in the second half and our out of character lazy defence let us down. So a sleepy loss.

Points: Morgan 10, John 8, Lachlan 7

D's
ROUND 9 by Mark

 Reds vs Punjabi Lioms 40-35 

The D's were down a player in the first minutes of the game with Reggie straining his calf and leaving us with 6 to play on. Damien got off to a quick start with a trio of 3 pointers in the first 10 minutes. The D's were getting it done inside as well with Cam and Connor helping the D's out to a 17-8 lead with 7 mins to go in the first half. The D's encountered some foul trouble with Max racking up his 4th with still six minutes to go. In the final minutes and with the D's over the foul limit SPOC had opportunities from the free throw line and pulled back slightly. D's were ahead 22-15 at half time. 

SPOC made a run after half time to pull within 3 points until the D's pushed their lead back out to 8 points 34-26, with Max and Cam contributing on the scoring. SPOC wouldn't give up and scored 8 points in a row to level things 34-34. The D's called for a timeout and emerged to get a couple of quick buckets including a nice little short range jumpshot from Manners. The rest of the game was a bit of a scrapfest, the D's were victorious with final score 40-36. Damien had 15 points, Max with 10 and Cam with 8. 
 
Points: Max 10, Cam 8

 E's

 ROUND 9 by RT

Reds vs Pick N Pop 55-55 

 With two wins and seven losses under our collective belts for the season things didn’t look particularly good on Saturday as we suited up against ladder number 2 position holders Pick’N’Pop. The smart money would have been on loss number 8 being chalked up in an embarrassing fashion. The smart money would have felt even more secure knowing that both Hendo and Flair were unable to play (martial arts grading and general malaise respectively).

The smart money would have been feeling a bit crook after watching the first 10 minutes of play. Trev knocked down 3 three pointers in that first 10 minute slot, ably assisted in the second quarter by fill in (and possible recruit) Shae with 4 three pointers. Points also to RT, B-Rad, Caldy and Lachie (Pachuca) saw us go into the long break up 35-41. At this point in time the smart money would probably have packed up and left.

Luckily for us our spectators are made of sterner stuff, as is our team. Knowing that there was only 20 minutes to go until the final whistle and car park beers (let’s face it, the real reason we come out and play!) we came back on court for the grind to the finish.

In the second half the scoring for both teams slowed right down. From our perspective it was probably accumulated years taking their toll, for the opposition it was running into (quite literally on a few occasions) our solid defence. It was observed after the game that they are probably used to having their way when it comes to cutting and driving, however we mount an impressive defensive wall that many have found nigh on impenetrable.

The final whistle saw the scores tied on 55 apiece, however it could truthfully be said that we were the real winners on the day, coming extremely close to handing a defeat to an opposition who should have walked all over us. Definitely one of which to be proud.

Shae top scored with 15, all from outside the arc.

Trev with a solid 12, also from outside all day.

Pachuca, B-Rad and Caldy with 8 points each, all working hard inside.

RT with 4 and Nele not troubling the scorers in either points or fouls (but contributing on other ways nonetheless).

Caldy with beers well received post game.

Points: Trev 12, B-Rad and Caldwell 8