Quebec Saints & TA: A Winning Combination

Following the 2nd Annual TA (tourtiere australien) pie eating contest this past Sunday, July 17th, the Quebec Saints presented owner Don with a pair of official 2011 season shorts, complete with TA logo on the left.

As you can see in the picture, Don was happy as anyone who has tucked into one of his pies with the way they turned out. In fact, we'd go so far as to say we've never seen a kiwi happier holding a Sherrin and wearing a pair of footy shorts before. Many thanks to Don and TA for their continued support of the Saints. We hope the partnership lasts for many years to come.

In the pie eating contest itself, Vinco Mousseau took out the Saints internal competetition by downing 4+ pies in the alloted 10 minutes. Next best were coach Mat Wilson with 3 and Will Teissier with 2. Definiteily looking for better results next year.

Post written by Coach Mat Wilson

Next ECAFL Match, Sunday @ 2pm

Round 7 of the ECAFL is about to kick off. It will take place this SUNDAY, July 24th at Parc Champetre at 2pm! The schedule and countdown timer have been updated accordingly. Go Saints Go!

Friday Night Match - A Nail Bitter

ECAFL Round 3

10^th June  2011
Saints: 7.11-53
Bombers: 5.4-34

A large step forward for the ECAFL occurred in Round 3 as the first ever match under lights was held at Parc Champêtre in Montreal. Again, both teams were slightly undermanned as the Bombers and Saints faced off under the Friday night lights.

The Bombers carried plenty of momentum into round 3 after a heroic last gasp win in round 2. They started extremely well with the return of Lachy Trumble translating into dominance at the contests. Accurate kicking from Paul Fairborther (including 3 second quarter goals) and another set of missed opportunities from the Saints saw the Bombers leading by 3 points at half time, 4.1-25 to the Saints 3.4-22.

It seemed that once again the Bombers were set to finish the game stronger in the final term after the third was a neutral struggle with both teams scoring 1.2. However, A back injury to the Bomber’s solid first half contributor Dave Wilson as well as determined work all around the ground from 1^st year Saints Will Tessier (2 goals) and Kelvin Thursby saw the Saints finish much stronger despite again missing several easy chances at goal. Neil Koch also impressed in his first game in the ECAFL, despite an inaccurate last quarter he finished with 3.5. Final score Saints 7.11-53 to the Bombers 5.4-34.

Best:
Saints – W. Tessier, K. Thursby
Bombers - P. Fairbrother, L. Trumble


Goals:
Saints- N. Koch-3, W. Tessier-3, C. Michilletti-1
Bombers- P. Fairbrother-5

Round Two, A Close Finish

ECAFL Round 2

4^th June  2011
Bombers: 7.3-45
Saints: 6.4-40

Round 2 of the ECAFL 2011 season saw the Saints and Bombers face off in perfect conditions for football. Despite both teams being slightly undermanned, a fantastic contest took place at Parc Champêtre.

In the first half, it appeared the Saints were starting where they left off in Round 1, taking control of the game from the first bounce and kicking 4 goals to 2 in the first half. The return of key playmaker Mat Wilson saw the Saints compete hard in the midfield. Despite the hard work in the midfield, Wilson was responsible for several key misses in the second quarter that, if converted, would have seen the Saints skip clear before half time. At half time the Saints lead by 14 points, 4.3-27 to the Bombers 2.1-13.

Still smarting from the round 1, second half blowout, the Bombers came out hard in the second half with Paul Fairbrother key in the midfield and Vince Mousseau solid in defense. The third term was a tight struggle that saw only 1 goal scored by either team, the saints leading by 9 points at the last change.

In the last quarter, the Bombers made the Saints pay for missed opportunities in the 1^st half. Despite the hard work from the Bombers the Saints still lead by 1 point with less than a minute to play. A strong contested possession in the midfield by Ash “Smasher” Gasperino and a hard run forward from Paul Fairbrother was rewarded, with the Bombers kicking the winning goal as time expired. Final score Bombers 7.3-45 to the Saints 6.4-40.

Best:

Bombers - P. Fairbrother, V. Mousseau

Saints – W. Tessier, M. Wilson

Goals:
Bombers- P. Fairbrother-3, V. Mousseau-2, A. Gasperino-1, R. Gordon-1
Saints- M. Wilson-3, T. Nixon-3

Saints Smash Bombers in Season Opener

ECAFL Round 1
14^th May 2011
Saints: 14.8-92
Bombers: 3.6-24

After a long cold off-season, the 2011 ECAFL Season kicked off at the new Saints home field, Parc Champêtre. Under grey skies and after several days of heavy rain, the soggy ground ensured a hard slog for the Saints and Bombers to open the season.

The first quarter proved an even affair and it seemed the closeness of last years final series was going to carry over into the 2011 season. Solid contributions from Kyle Graham and star Bombers recruit Paul Fairbrother ensured an arm wrestle in the first quarter with the saints taking a slim 1 point lead into the first change.

After quarter time though the saints took control of the match through consistent hard work in the midfield by Graham and Kelvin Thursby and some spectacular hard running  from defense by veteran Greg Bretiere. The saints kicked 4 goals to none in the second to lead by 29 points at half time, the Saints 6.6-42 to the Bombers 2.1-13.

It was more of the same in the second half, and despite a valiant defensive effort by Canadian National Team representative Margot Legault, Chris Michiletti kicked 4 second half goals and helped the Saints run out winners by 68 points.

Best:
Saints - K. Graham, K. Thursby
Bombers - W. Tessier, P. Fairbrother

Goals:
Saints- C. Michilletti-6, K. Graham-3, K Thursby-3
Bombers-W. Tessier-2, P. Fairbrother-1