June 20, 2017
Darling Downs AFL’s “game of the round” last weekend proved to be just that with the resurgent South Burnett Saints teaching the unbeaten University Cougars a lesson at Lyle Vidler Oval.
Playing before their home crowd in Kingaroy, the Saints clocked up their fifth straight win, more than making up for their slow start to the 2017 season.
Saints, with 20 points, are still in third spot on the Allied Pickfords Cup ladder, just one victory behind Coolaroo on 24.
University are in Number 1 spot with 28 points.
Both sides began strongly on Saturday, with the South Burnett just ahead at the end of the first quarter.
This lead had grown by half-time, with the Saints ahead 7.6 (48) to 4.6 (30).
Cougars increased the pressure in the third quarter, kicking three goals in a row as well as peppering the Saints’ sticks with off-target kicks.
But the local side replied and then goaled at the end of the quarter to maintain their margin.
Saints took control again in the last quarter, taking the final score to 14.14 (98) to 8.12 (60).
South Burnett goals were kicked by Mitchell Francis (4), Nathan Trace (4), Braeden Snow (2), Jordan Pressnell (2), Lloyd Slater and Jack Hourn.
The Saints’ next game will be another home game at Lyle Vidler Oval on Saturday, this time against the Toowoomba Tigers.
[Previously published as “Saints Hunt Down Cougars”]
