SANDHURST skipper Vin English was carried off the ground on players' shoulders after his team defeated Castlemaine in the Bendigo League first semi-final in 1961.

But his effort deserved a red carpet and a gold-plated carriage to ride in, Bendigo Advertiser chief football writer John Rice reported.

The Magpies looked the better side up till three-quarter time and led by eight points with one quarter to play.

The Advertiser's special comments man, South defender Jim Elvey, said the Magpies showed greater pace, were better in the air and their marking was much cleaner.
"But in the last term the Maroons showed what better training can do," he wrote.

Sandhurst shot the ball to open spaces and speedsters Bill Kupsch, Nildo Munari and Jocka Keating gained confidence to each lift their games to great heights.

Elvey was full of praise for English. "He was the only Maroon forward to win well in the first three quarters and then with a dynamic last term he kicked two gem goals that virtually won the game for Sandhurst," the South backman wrote.

Another Maroon to play well in the critical stages when the Magpies looked like taking a long lead was Brian Sutton.

Sutton's bustling tactics worried the Magpie spearhead, Andy Berry.

BUT it was all Castlemaine early. The Magpies showed sound tactics by running onto the ground early to loosen up after their trip from Castlemaine.

When skipper Ian O'Halloran won the toss to kick with a slight breeze they had everything in their favour.

Brian McMillan had the better of Nildo Munari on one wing and it was McMillan who gave Mat Cox the opportunity to goal for the Magpies.

Castlemaine had five goals to Sandhurst's three on the board at the first change. The kicking of Magpie full-back Ron Brown was a treat to watch and although the Castlemaine defence was close knit it appeared the Maroons were able to score more easily than the Maine.

Kicking to the non-scoring end in the second term Sandhurst reduced the Magpies' lead to 10 points. They had most of the play.

English was always a prominent player and continually outmarked Brian Trethowan, manoeuvring his way in front of Trethowan when the ball was in the air.

After half-time O'Halloran moved Brian McMillan to the centre placing Kevin Maple, who continually overran the ball when he used "express speed", onto the wing for the Magpies.

Sandhurst flier Bill Kupsch went on to Des Ray in an effort to stop Ray's effective play. Bob Pretty went to a half-forward flank.

However, McMillan's opponent Munari followed him to the pivot position and proved to be the turning point for Sandhurst.

Munari drove the Maroons forward continually with long drop-kicks and was mainly responsible for Sandhurst being only eight points down at the last change, with the use of the scoring end in the last quarter.

McMillan kicked the ground in the second quarter and his ankle, which had kept him on the sidelines for most of the season, did not appear 100 per cent.

CASTLEMAINE increased its lead to 3.3 when Berry and then Stevens goaled soon after the start of the third quarter.
With Munari dominating the centre, Sandhurst fought back through English and Brian Gretton-Watson.

Respective full-backs Ron Brown and Brian Sutton were brilliant during this term while Sandhurst's half-back line of Ron Flaherty, Larry Williams and Pat Burke were gaining the upper hand.

The big crowd was not disappointed as players threw themselves into the fray with thoughts of injury furtherest from their minds.

In the last term Malcolm Stevens and Mat Cox kicked goals for the Magpies when Sandhurst were within six points.
It became a goal-for-goal semi-final as Ron Ford, then Vin English, replied.

Sandhurst hit the front when Ron Ford got his boot to the ball when falling to score full points and give the Maroons a one-point advantage.

Berry levelled the scores with a point for Castlemaine. Then Lenaghan rushed in for his winning goal which was followed by English's sealer.

Castlemaine did not score another major for the match and at the end the Maroons were playing on as they sensed victory.

Advertiser writer John Rice's Big Three --- VIN ENGLISH (Sandhurst captain-coach): for a consistent performance of creative full-forward work.

Although unspectacular, English was always driving his side into attack with well-judged marks and long kicks.
His five goals came from intelligent football and at the end he shifted himself into the ruck to steady the side.
Castlemaine's young wingman DES RAY takes the vote for second for an excellent display.

For three quarters he dominated the wing, but in the last term Sandhurst speedster Bill Kupsch nullified his good work.

Third was between Sandhurst centreman or wingman NILDO MUNARI and Castlemaine ruckman MAT COX.

Although Munari proved to be a match-winner after half-time when shifted to the centre, Cox is slightly ahead for four quarters of determined football which was an object lesson for some of his Magpie teammates.

SANDHURST 3.1 7.2 9.7 14.11 (95)
CASTLEMAINE 5.4 8.6 10.9 12.13 (85)

GOALKICKERS - Sandhurst: V. English 5, B. Gretton-Watson 2, J. Keating 2, F. Lenaghan 2, R. Ford 2, W. Kupsch. Castlemaine: M. Cox 3, A. Berry 3, B. Culpitt 3, M. Stevens 2, G. Dickson.
BEST PLAYERS - Sandhurst: V. English (best on ground), N. Munari, B. Sutton, R. Flaherty, W. Kupsch, G. Francis, B. Gretton-Watson. Castlemaine: D. Ray, M. Cox, R. Brown, J. Roth, M. Stevens, B. Culpitt, R. Hilson.

Replacements - Sandhurst: D. Masterson replaced by A. Chalkley in last quarter; J. Keating by D. Delves in last term.
Castlemaine: I. Burnside replaced by J. Bassett in last quarter; R. Hilson by G. Bryce in last quarter.
Umpire: Eric Brewer. Official attendance: 6815 (5445 adults and 1370 children). Gate takings: £1236.

EXCERPTS taken from the Bendigo Advertiser of Monday, September 11th, 1961; Goldfields Library, research section.

Richard's tips for Week 1, BFL finals: Eaglehawk and Sandhurst.

By Richard Jones