Angus Whyte High School Challenge Final
KINGSTON HIGH TAKES OUT THE INAUGURAL ANGUS WHYTE SHIELDKingston High School has taken out the first Angus Whyte High School Challenge Shield with a 1-0 victory over a very courageous Taroona High outfit.
The 'Finals Day' nearly didn't get off the ground at all. Overnight rain had made the Lightwood Park surface a little less than safe to play all three scheduled matches so it was decided to play just the senior boys game kicking off at 3pm. Schools were duly contacted and urgent messages left and then some bright spark (not the author) decided to investigate Gormley Park. The inspection proved very positive and as Gormley was nearly dry it was decided to play all three games as scheduled. Another round of phone calls was made, which confirmed to the schools what they were probably thinking anyway..."These blokes have no idea", and we were underway.
The following is a brief outline of each match. Both schools will forward their own match reports to be posted here at a later date.
Game One (Junior Boys)
Game one saw the junior boys play out a tense and exciting match. Taroona started with all the running and had taken a 3-0 lead inside 10 minutes and then Kingston woke up. Things remained the same until 10 minutes into the second half when Taroona extended their lead to 4 but Kingston struck back almost immediately and from that point on Kingston took all the initiative. With five minutes to go and the score at 4-3 Kingston looked like they might cause a boil over but it was not to be. Taroona took the victory and notched up the first victory of the day.
Game Two (All Age Girls)
This was a game that could have gone either way. Both squads had players that were overflowing with enthusiasm and a few potential stars of the future have been identified.
As with the junior boys Taroona started at a frenetic pace and was making all the opportunities. In fact Kingston were having trouble clearing their own 18 yard box and as would be expected under these circumstances had to absorb amazing pressure. But Taroona scored the inevitable goal from a direct free kick. Their mistake though was to think it was all over. Taroona took the foot off the pedal and Kingston came back with a vengeance. Two quick scores saw the pressure reversed and Kingston finished the first half with all the running.
Taroona equalised midway through the second half and then it became a tense affair for both sides not to concede before the final whistle.
2-2 and in hindsight, probably a fair result.
Game Three (Senior Boys) - ANGUS WHYTE HIGH SCHOOL CHALLENGE
This was always going to be a tense and torrid affair between two skilful and hard working squads. Tense and torrid is exactly what it was.
The Kingston players were full of running but Taroona responded with fantastic team work and motivation especially. The first few minutes were tight with both squads trying to find chinks in each others armour. The Taroona boys were missing their talisman, Lucas Wyatt but Rohan Woodward took a step up and was organising his players well from his sweeping role. Kingston had rearranged things a lot from their previous game and looked a lot better and were certainly functioning more effectively as a team.
Kingston's big improvement came in their set plays. Corners especially, were causing the Taroona boys enormous headaches and this is where the only goal for the game came from. Lanky Brett Andrews had been a target for most set plays and Taroona were anticipating the same when Kingston were awarded a corner. Sanita went long and over the head of Andrews but Palmer was lurking at the back and smashed home the opener with a skilfully taken header.
Marchiolli was lurking in the middle of the park and was creating opportunities on too many occasions. Taroona had no answer for the pace, skill and sheer determination of the young lad, it is any wonder he has become a favourite with Kingborough reserves and senior squads. The world is there for the taking for this youngster.
At one stage it looked as though Kingston had their second goal and some breathing space but it looked that way to only one person, the referee. Call in an aberration or call it pure stupidity but for some unknown reason the referee signalled a goal as a result of a beautiful header from Brett Andrews that was goalward bound until a Taroona defender hooked the ball off the line. I think to the referee though it was such a beautiful attempt that it DESERVED a goal. The assistant referee called bought things back into perspective by indicating no goal. A short discussion between the two officials confirmed the 'no goal' decision.
Kingston had organised a cameo role for another of Kingborough's bright lights. Chas Hughes was keeping things safe between the sticks. Chas appeared to add a sense of confidence in the Kingston back line, something that had been lacking in previous Kingston matches. Sacrifice was the word for Hughes as the big bugger had to drag himself off his sick bed and with impending surgery weighing heavy on his mind, the young lad did the right thing by his school and put it all on the line... :-)
The second half saw the rain come down (some said it nearly snowed) and both squads were trying to find that extra leverage. Taroona were desperate for an equaliser and Kingston were equally as desperate to find the second goal that would give them some breathing space. Neither achieved their aim but the remainder of the match was played hard and fast but also very fairly which is a credit to both teams. As any student from either school will tell you, be it debating, football or chess, the best victory is the one you win over their neighbouring school.
The final whistle called a halt to a physical and skilful encounter.
Kingston High 1 (Michael Palmer 21') Taroona 0
Brian Dale presented the Angus Whyte Shield to Kingston's captain Chris Sanita who acknowledged the efforts of his own team and that of the Taroona players.
Special thanks to all the officials of today's matches, especially Robyn McCarthy who gave up her own position in the Kingston girls team to officiate both the junior boys and girls matches. There is no truth in the scurrilous accusation that the referee of the main game will make a career in refereeing...
Thanks also to Brian & Jill Dale for their continued efforts to make things just that bit better.
A vote of gratitude to the staff of L.J. Hooker (Kingston) for the use of the marquee and BBQ at today's matches. It certainly added some colour and filled a few hungry bellies. Well done guys.
Congratulations to Mick Arnold & Brent McKay (Taroona), Glen Jarman & Paul Loveric (Kingston), Warren Iles& Gary Reardon (Calvin) for their organisation and coaching skills. Personally I think the Angus Whyte High School Challenge has taken its first step on a long and hopefully, an illustrious journey. 2006 will see the shield decided not on one final match but on aggregate scores between the senior boys and the 'All Age' girls teams over a series of matches. Huonville High School has indicated their intention of coming on board in 2006 which will create a four school series.
Congratulations to all players from all teams in this competition. You guys are paving the way for the long over due reintroduction of inter-school competition into the school curriculum with such a positive and sportsmanlike attitude on and off the field. To see you all running around plying your skill in such a mature fashion can only be considered both healthy and impressive to all but the die-hard 'anti-sports', 'anti-competition' personnel. Congratulation to you all. Roll on 2006.
Finally, to Angus...
I hope seeing our youthful talent on display in this way and in your name, is pleasing...