Div 1 had a point to prove in a clash against perennial finalists Redcliffe. Looking to string together 2 wins for the first time in 2011, the boys came in with some confidence after a strong last round win and the memory of a 6-1 thrashing of the bogans last time the 2 teams met. Unbeknown to many, BHA had declared this round Heritage round; with Mothy lured out of retirement and GC throwing down the walking stick to boost the average of the team to above 21.

The match started fairly evenly, with some slick Redcliffe running putting them slightly ahead in terms of territory and possession. Some scrambling defence kept the baysiders at bay, but the turnovers were still a major issue in the first 15. Redcliffe went 1-0 up, courtesy of a lucky goal to resident loud-mouth-McAlpine, after the ball deflected through 2 uni defenders. From this point, the Redmen (the real Redmen) stepped it up a notch and the game developed into a real contest. Play was fairly free-flowing and Uni were getting the better of Redcliffe in the midfield. A couple of gilt-edged chances went begging and the circle penetrations were not turning into worthwhile shots for Uni. The game continued in this fashion for the rest of the half, with Uni mostly on top through the attacking midfield and doing well in defence to snuff out Redcliffe’s dangerous counter attacks.

The game hung right in the balance in the second half, with neither side able to put away a match-turning goal. Uni took the momentum into the half and had patches of real domination through the middle third, with excellent running only being let down by poor execution on the final pass or shot. The boys continually asked questions of Redcliffe’s defence, creating overlaps that really should have been converted. Macca narrowly missed an excellent chance before Pinka also squandered goals that could have changed the match completely. Conversely, Redcliffe only ever looked like scoring through a breakaway through this middle period. The match took a final swing in the last 10 to 15 minutes; with Redcliffe composing themselves again to even the match back out. They pushed forward in the last 10 as the Uni defence started to look ragged and unfortunately gave away 2 sloppy PCs in the last 7 minutes that both led to goals.

The final score of 3-0 didn’t reflect the closeness of the match or Uni’s strength at certain stages of the game. However it was a familiar story of not being able to convert goals that ultimately cost the Redmen. The loss puts them out of touch with the top 5 for the first time this season. The boys will face an uphill battle to make the finals, but if it all clicks, they will be capable of the 7 or 8 wins required from the next 11 games.

The game started unconvincingly from Uni, with Valleys having the better of the opening forays. The turnover count for both teams were high, but Valleys were working the ball through the middle better and managing to break through into their attacking zones. Some good defensive work at the back by the halves and fullback was stopping the forward momentum. The scrambling defence was holding well until an overlap down Valleys right and some soft tackling saw a Valleys player flick one into the net to go up 1-0. This seemed to spark the Uni boys and the tide began to turn. Although turnovers in the midfield still persisted, Uni began to gain the upper hand and were finding more space. The game opened up and became an arm wrestle, but Uni had the ascendancy and were only lacking some quality in the last pass and shooting to prevent squaring it up. It was down to Kanye to slot a nice goal from out on the right to take the scores to 1-1. This is how it stayed until the main break, with Uni going in at half time with the momentum on their side and their tails up.

The second half picked up from the end of the first, with Uni controlling the ball better and doing excellently inside the defensive third to prevent Valleys circle penetrations. Some strong running from the inside forwards saw a good attacking platform being laid, with Uni dominating territory and possession. Once again the lack of polish in attack was costing the Redmen, with an inability to work the ball into a scoring position causing frustration all round. This allowed a small period in the middle of the half where the game opened right up again and became a tussle, with the Valley midfield causing a few more problems and some excellent penalty corner saves from Thrush was all that prevented any addition to the Poobags score. This didn't last long though and some composed play from Uni saw them regain the ascendancy, until finally Lance rocketed in an unexpected slap shot goal to make it 2-1 with about 15 to play. Uni kept pressing for a third and once again struggled to put the ball away, having a goal saved off the line and numerous other chances going begging. The defence was also doing well, repelling the counter attacks that Valleys were mounting. Lance knocked a fine rebound goal in to take a brace and, despite some Valleys short corners in the closing stages, this was enough to close it out 3-1.

The win sees Uni remain in touch with the tail end of the Top 5 and also gives a much needed confidence boost. Tough games against Redcliffe, Commercial and Bulimba will close out the first round and Uni will need to pick some points up to have any hope of contesting for a finals spot come the second round.

In game matters, the ins and outs were numerous for Uni, with captain GC still out injured and Goose, Prada and Byron all out for various reasons. In came Brooksy, Jarrod, Tong and Woz, with Boo-Boo and Bling featuring in the squad once again. It came as no surprise to seasoned viewers that Woz had somehow managed to get his one-off A grade recall to coincide with a TV game.

The match was crucial to Uni, with a win needed to keep the momentum going from their last start win. They faced much tougher opposition though, with Saints unbeaten thus far in 2011 and coming off a prelim final in 2010.

The game started in fairly quick fashion, with Saints applying immediate forward pressure. Uni were countering this with strong defence and were able to work the ball through the middle as well, with the structure allowing for overlapping players. However, Saints did have the overall run of the play, and halfway through the first stanza some defensive misunderstanding and excellent skills by 2010 AUGs small boy Moby put Saints up 1-0.

For the rest of the half, neither side was able to play with any real fluency. Both sides had chances, including several short corners, but defence was proving to be the winner. Both teams were guilty of being sloppy on the final pass or run. After a run of short corners, Uni was able to slot one shortly before half time. A well worked variation saw stand-in captain Ash rocket in a drag flick to tie it up 1-1 going into the break.

Saints stepped it up in the second half. Their dynamic forward line was starting to create problems as Uni went on the back foot. Good scrambling and penalty corner defence and some excellent saves by Thrush were keeping Saints at bay. Several 'extremely contentious' umpiring decisions handed Saints the leg-up they needed. Somehow an outstretched stick from Keno was confused as his body and a corner was given, which Saints crisply converted. From here Saints still did the majority of the attacking, with too many turnovers from Uni and the inability to find a free man. We were guilty of playing too long and this allowed Saints easy ball. Despite a last 5 minute attacking surge, we were unable to convert and the final score line read 1-2.

Although our own scoring chances were few and far between in the second half, the boys felt our defence was good enough to warrant a draw and the effort certainly couldn't be faulted. Nonetheless it was a disappointing loss and now puts real pressure on Uni on the points table. The boys have a 3 week (?!?!) break now and will hopefully come back recharged to fire in the middle part of the season. Keno will use that time to consolidate his media interests, while GC will be taking regular visits to the Voodoo doctor to hopefully cure his back ailment (rumoured to be caused by his infamous Bacne). Meanwhile suppliers of Harley-Davidson Bandanas Australia-wide are bracing for unprecedented demand, with sales tipped to go through the roof after Woz's stylish brandishing of one on National TV.

Plucked from relative obscurity, Josh Mason was handed a top-line debut. A number of other div 2 stars got the call-up. The plan was to play a high-pressure game and force the United defence into mistakes. This had immediate success, with a turnover and some subsequent quick passing seeing Bling knock in a goal inside the first 2 minutes. Further strong play saw the Uni boys get on top, with excellent defensive pressure and marking really laying the platform for the attacking raids. Some good composure saw 2 short corners gained and 2 goals duly scored, with new boy and UQHC scholarship holder Yogi knocking 2 low drag flicks past 2010 Uni keeper Mark Limbrick. The small gathering of fans could barely contain their excitement, with a 3-0 lead inside the first 8 minutes.

The last 15 minutes of the half saw a drop in intensity from Uni, with the play becoming sloppier and United creating a few chances with their long balls. Nonetheless, Uni still created chances and had space through the midfield to attack, with the halfs and fullbacks overlapping. Shortly before the break one such overlap saw Yogi get the ball to Keno (the sole surviving member of the '07 fracas game against United) wide on the Right, with the ball played into the circle for Byron, who spilled the ball through to Bling for a good finish and a 4-0 half time lead.

All the talk at half-time was about picking the intensity back up and being clinical in our game plan to learn to close out a game ruthlessly. The second half developed into a real arm-wrestle, with Uni still having the run of the play but United getting more of the ball in an end-to-end affair. The game turned a bit scrappy, with Uni occasionally getting drawn into playing the long game. Goose opened up his UQ scoring account, latching onto a bouncing long ball from Hamish with a faint deflection. Again, this was courtesy of an overlap created down the left side through the halves.

The last 15 minutes saw United begin to press more as the tired Uni legs began to show. Some average defence saw an easy goal to United linchpin McClelland. From here, Uni switched to scramble mode to close the game out as the fullbacks rotated and we lost our structure and composure a little. United knocked another consolation goal in courtesy of a rebound, to see the final score sit at 5-2.

An encouraging performance that will help to kick-start the season, Uni will need to improve if it is to beat undefeated Saints in Round 4. One real focus area will be keeping the intensity up for the entire 70 minutes and avoiding the lapses in the last 10 minutes of each half. Another area that must be improved against the dangerous Saints attackers will be the positive engagement with attackers inside our defensive 25 and circle. Uni will hopefully welcome back Prada, but face the loss of Goose to academic duties. With inside forwards dropping like flies, side veteran Keno has offered to fill the breach and has put his hand up to face Uni Games team-mate Taurus in a one-on-one battle that could shape the match.

Redmen coveting the Throne.

A poor start, a goal in arrears,
Despite the support of the peers.
Intensity down, trapped in our end,
Under the pump, forced to defend.

The game started to flow,
UQ were having a go.

Breaking the shackles,
And making the tackles..

A run by Macca,
With Bling the attacker,
Right spot, perfect ball,
Goal time, score 1-all.

That's how we entered the break,
Both sides had chances to take.
Injuries were beginning to mount,
With GC out for the count.

Second-half was see-saw,
Both sides were demanding more,
End-to-end play through the middle,
If the only the Rabbler could Riddle.

UQ needed a goal,
And Bling was on a roll,
Goose passed off with skill,
The goal gave the crowd a thrill!

Easts came home keen,
Pressing hard for the last fifteen.
A rebound goal from a short,
And shots of the post-hitting sort.

Alas, another goal to the yellow,
Through defending that was soft and mellow.
3-2 down, hopes starting to wane,
It looked like the Tigers were going to reign.

Four minutes to go, to take up the fight,
One final play, to give them a fright,
A corner to end the match,
But a draw we could not snatch.

So on to next week,
A win we will seek.
This wrong will be righted,
When we play the scum United.



Goal Scorers: Craig Mackintosh 2
Best Players: Shane Johnston, Hamish Baron, Ash Hennegan


Round: 1
Game: vs Labrador, 4.30pm Sat 19th March @ Easts
Result: Lost 2-6

Swamp-like conditions met the UQHC BHL1 side for the first hit-out of a highly anticipated 2011 season. In a side featuring a total of 8 Brisbane A grade freshmen or sophomores and with an average age just under 20, it was always going to be a tough ask coming up against a Labrador side with a potent attack and former Australian players Brent Livermore and Grant Smith.

Deep puddles and slow conditions meant that earlier games had been called off and the match only got the go-ahead at the last minute. The game played out at a frantic pace that belied the sloppy conditions, with constant turnovers and an endless stream of overheads. After an even opening, Labrador had a sustained period of attack during the first half, pressuring the Uni circle. This converted to a goal, with Smith getting a deflection on a rocketing shot that was going well wide. Uni began to make inroads and was extremely successful on the counter-attack, launching Macca, Jake et al forward. Hamish was making his mark on the match, setting up the forward play and creating turnovers from which to counter attack. Attacking the dryer end of the pitch, Uni failed to convert this period of dominance, with gilt-edged chances to Pinka and Byron going begging and 2 more crosses flashing across the face of the goal unrewarded. Eventually Hamish created space for himself and slashed a trademark Tomahawk low into the net to level the scores. Labrador got it back after some sloppy defending allowed a player to run virtually untouched into a scoring position. All-in-all it was a half of missed opportunities, as the sodden players ran off to a deficit of 2-1 that could have easily been a lead of 2 or 3 goals.

The second half saw Labrador's experience come to the fore. Attacking the dryer end, Labrador held onto the ball much better and it wasn't long before they converted a short corner in controversial circumstances, with the umpire clearly missing that the ball struck above the backboard. From here, it was all Labrador as they pressed hard and knocked in 3 more goals as Uni struggled to repel them. GC got one back in the last ten minutes as a consolation, but the boys were definitely outplayed in the second half and failed to adapt to the conditions.

They will be looking to turn it around quickly and convert their potential into some impact on the pitch in Round 2. UQ face Easts on their home turf and will be looking for a big scalp to kick-start 2011.