Westbourne Grammar has been crowned Herald Sun Shield champions after clinching a two-point victory over Salesian College in the Division 2 Senior Boys Grand Final on Thursday.
Played at Trevor Barker Oval, Salesian jumped out of the blocks early to establish a three-goal lead in the opening term.
Westbourne fought back in the second quarter to find the big sticks and pile on three-goals of its own but were only able to cut the margin back down to two goals to trail at the main break.
The arm-wrestle continued in the second half with Westbourne gaining momentum, despite trailing by 11-points heading into the final term.
After trailing all day, Westbourne came out of the break to slam on four goals in the final term to overrun Salesian by two-points. The final score 11.9 (75) def 11.7 (73).
Westbourne’s Will Tattersall was awarded the Best on Ground medal for his team, while Pat Doyle secured best player honours for Salesian.
In the curtain raiser match, it was South East Special School Sports Association (SESSSA) who took home the Special Schools Cup over the Northern Special School Sports Association (NSSSA).
It was a tight battle in the opening half of the game, with the margin not creeping out past 14-points, SESSSA securing a small lead heading into the major break.
Despite a four-goal last term from NSSSA, it was not to be. SESSSA running home victors by 14-points. The final term 10.10 (70) def 9.2 (56).
Ben Centofanti’s efforts on the day were recognised with the Best on Ground award for SESSSA, while Serkan Unal was deemed NSSSA’s top player.
The last Herald Sun Shield Grand Final for the season will be played at RAMS Arena when the Division 2 Senior Girls decider will be held at 1:30pm on Wednesday September 19.
SESSSA claim the 2018 Special Schools Cup. PHOTO: Eleanor Armstrong
