Xavier Boys Take Home The Bill Taylor Cup

XAVIER High School put on a wet weather clinic to claim a second straight Bill Taylor Cup, accounting for the Scots School by 71 points on Tuesday night.

The reigning champions made the better of the greasy conditions in the first quarter and never looked back in the 14.8 (92) to 3.3 (21) demolition.

Their dominance, through the middle of the ground in particular, was such that it took Scots until the start of the fourth quarter to register their second goal of the game, vice-captain Sam Herbert booting the first of his two final quarter majors.

Fraser Duryea delivered an eye-catching best on ground performance for Xavier, who had 10 individual goalkickers for the night.

A four-goal to nothing second quarter gave them the upper hand and halftime and Scots simply had no answers for them.

While Duryea was the standout, he had no shortage of mates putting their hands up beside him.

Corben Rawlings had plenty of the ball, while Jarrah Moran was an imposing presence starting off half-back and moving into the midfield, booting a goal.

Goalsneak Darcy-Smith one of four Xavier players to slot multiple majors, accompanied by Kaelan Bradtke, Kolby Hennessy, and Cooper Boyle.

For Scots, Sam Severin opened their scoring with a goal in the first quarter and battled hard in the ruck, while Eddy Ziebarth did his best to impose himself.

Rowan Frazer did it tough in the backline but could hold his head high, while Will Brooksby provided a few electric moments.

Xavier coach Mark Sanson said he was lucky to have the benefit of a very talented list.

“The boys played well in slippery conditions and were able to gather cleanly and wheel around and get it going quickly towards goal,” he said.

“When we got them one out, we really showed our class.

“I’m lucky enough to have a pretty talented group this year and they probably showed that tonight.

“Back to back cups is a great achievement, the boys enjoy getting out on a night like tonight and playing for their school.

“Both of these schools are passionate about school footy and have put on a great spectacle.”