Test for Hills team

Endeavour Hills star Presley Naea busts a tackle in the intra-club clash on Saturday. 32021 Picture: Stewart Chambers

By Stuart Teather
IT WAS Endeavour Hills versus Endeavour Hills on Saturday as the club’s A and B-teams took each other on in their round seven Victorian Rugby Union second-division clash.
To no one’s surprise, the A-team came out healthy winners, knocking off the B-team 41-5.
The game at times resembled more of a training run than a competitive match as the players took a light-hearted approach, according to club president Ashley White.
“Quite honestly, there was no question the A-team was going to be dominant; they’re our first-grade side and the B-team is clearly our second-grade side,” he said. “The seriousness of the game was compromised – but it certainly gave them a good opportunity to try a few things. They did a few things out on the field we might be able to put into play in the matches.”
In the second half the club mixed the teams up to ensure a fairer contest, with players including Presley Naea suiting up for the B-team, a rare sight for fans.
The highlight of the weekend was a gripping under-18s clash between Endeavour Hills and the undefeated Moorabbin, with Moorabbin coming out on top 24-17 in a thrilling finish.
The scores were tied with five minutes to go and Endeavour Hills went on the attack, but Moorabbin got possession back and scored in the dying stages to snatch victory.
Former Endeavour Hills juniors Digby Ioane, better known as a Wallaby and Queensland Red, and Waikato Chiefs’ Ole Avei, made an appearance at the game, lending their support to their junior club.
But it will be back to the trenches this weekend as the A-team takes on fourth-placed Monash University and the B-team faces league heavyweight Maroondah. White was in no doubt about the challenge the B-team would face against the third-placed side.
“They’re going to have a bit of a task this weekend against Maroondah.”