Kingston continued their unbeaten start to the season with a decisive win over Bordertown on Saturday by 44 points.
In hot weather for football, both teams put in a great effort to play out the four quarters with high energy and intensity play.
Bordertown got the perfect start when Billy Hayes kicked the opening goal of the game. Kingston started to get their running game going as they put through three goals in a row from the boots of Hagan Wright, Todd Lockwood and Jack Armfield. Kingston’s Harry Tunkin had started the game well for the Saints, gathering the ball, and his disposal of it was hurting the Roosters. Bordertown slotted their second goal of the game when Tom Whittlesea put through his first of the game. Billy Hayes, Amon Hampel and Troy Blackwell had started well for the Roosters. Kingston finished the quarter strong as the Saints got goals from James Siviour and Liam Braithwaite. Hagan Wright, Campbell Watts and Tom Rogers had strong first quarters for the Saints. Ben Rogers led the Saints’ defence that held the Roosters to two goals in the first quarter. Chris Draper, Campbell Watts and Tom Rogers helped form the defensive unit for the Saints. Kingston led by 17 points at quarter time.
Bordertown again kicked the first goal of a quarter when Lachlan Glynn put through the Roosters’ first goal of the second quarter. Kingston responded by getting a goal from the boot of James Siviour to put the margin back out to 20 points. The Roosters again stayed in touch as Harrison Fromm kicked a goal. Harrison was having a good battle in the ruck against Kingston coach, Alex Barns. Hayden Shuttleworth, Ben Jarrett and Sebastian Trenorden were giving the Roosters a lift around the ground. Kingston kicked away to their most significant lead of the game so far after Jack Harding kicked two goals in a row to help the Saints open up a 25-point lead late in the quarter. Kingston was getting plenty of run and carry from Hagan Wright, Campbell Watts, and Ben Warner. Bordertown ran the quarter out well and got rewarded late as a goal from Amon Hampel helped cut the Saints’ lead back to 20 points by the time the half-time break came along.
Both teams needed the half-time break as the warm weather was very trying conditions for the players to play in.
The third quarter was a scrappy affair as both teams were on top defensively. Ben Rogers was in great form for Kingston in the defensive half as he directed the Saints players into position when the ball pushed into the Bordertown forward lines. Rooster’s backman Troy Blackwell was doing the same for Bordertown when the ball pushed into the Saints’ forward half. The quarter only produced one goal, and that was from Kingston’s Harry Tunkin, who continued to put in a best on ground performance. Harry was everywhere, gathering touches and also laying tackles. James Siviour presented Kingston with a strong target as he went on some great leads from the forward line to take marks. The Saints could have been further ahead but were missing shots on goal during the quarter. Kingston went into three quarter time 31 points ahead.
Kingston strongly started the fourth quarter as James Siviour kicked his third goal of the game early in the quarter. Kingston got two more goals in a row as Ben Kennedy put through a goal and coach Alex Barns launched a 65-metre goal that stretched the margin out to 50 points. Bordertown continued to fight the game out and were rewarded when Lachlan Murch kicked the Roosters’ first goal of the quarter. Troy Blackwell continued to provide some great runs across the backlines for Bordertown. Hayden Shuttleworth, Billy Hayes and Ben Jarrett were pushing hard for the Roosters as they were not giving up. Kingston got another goal through Alex Barns before Bordertown’s Lachlan Murch was rewarded for his good fourth quarter as he kicked his second goal of the quarter. Kingston proved too strong in the end and won by 44 points.