Round 3 U16 Torrens University Cup Wrap

By STEVE BARRETT

West Adelaide broke its duck and ended South Adelaide’s unbeaten start to the U16 Torrens University Cup season with a 17-point win at Hisense Stadium.

The Bloods led at every change but when Panther Ryan Pearsons converted his fourth major six minutes into the final term, the home side’s advantage was just eight points before Max Jones (three goals) sealed it for West with the last two majors.

Will Patton (28 possessions, nine rebound-50s) and Lukas Zvaigzne (26 disposals, one goal) were busy for the Bloods while Jace Daris (23 touches) was the chief ball-winner for the visitors who were forced to play catch-up after an errant 0.5 opening term.

Kane McAuliffe had a day out at X Convenience Oval, propelling North Adelaide to a 14-point victory over top-of-the-table Woodville-West Torrens.

The Roosters booted the first three goals and five of the last seven to hold off the Eagles who trailed at every change but briefly crept in front on back-to-back Oscar Pearce majors in the third stanza.

Classy left-footer McAuliffe amassed 43 possessions, 17 marks, nine inside-50s and a long goal, while forward DJ Smith (three goals) and defender Toby Turner (26 touches, 10 rebound-50s) were influential.

Pat Toole (34 disposals) and Jedd Thomson (29) were industrious for the Eagles.

Sturt inflicted four-time reigning premier Glenelg’s first defeat of the Under-16 Torrens University Cup with a 15-point triumph at Hisense Stadium.

Strong-marking spearhead Chad Reschke bagged four majors and Kobe McEntee (22 possessions, 10 tackles, seven inside-50s) charged in hard for the Double Blues all afternoon.

The Bays burst out of the blocks before Sturt got to work, inching ahead at quarter-time and holding the lead at each break.

Glenelg pinched it back early in the fourth before the Blues reasserted their superiority and sealed it with two goals inside the last minute.

Benjamin Ridgway (34 disposals, seven clearances, six tackles) and Lucas Camporeale (26 touches, two majors) – the son of AFL great Scott – were valiant for the Tigers.

Norwood withstood a rocky start to roll Central District by 15 points at X Convenience Oval.

The Redlegs conceded the first three goals and trailed by 20 points at quarter-time before crafting their way back into the contest, outscoring the Bulldogs 4.2 to 2.1 in the second term and stealing a two-point lead after forward Brayden Rachwal juggled a mark
and slotted his third major after the three-quarter-time siren.

Central had the lead back midway through the fourth before Norwood sealed it with three six-pointers in four minutes.

Connor Butcher (25 possessions, one goal, seven clearances) was prolific for the Legs while rover Trent Tattoli (35 disposals, six clearances) repeatedly willed the Dogs back into the contest.