BLACK Diamond AFL retained the Robert Hughes Memorial with a 17.11 (113) to 10.5 (65) win over AFL Sydney under-23s at No.1 Sportsground on Saturday.
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The home side were made to work hard for the win, having to overcome a half-time deficit before dominating the game.
Black Diamond was shocked by the high tempo start from Sydney and it was the visitors who scored first.
Slick ball movement and excellent overlap running saw the visitors kick the next four goals, including a long bomb from Wayde Blackburne.
They opened up a 27-point lead before Tom Head kicked Black Diamond's first goal.
Black Diamond captain Liam Gibson was able to make back-to-back goals for the home side. However, a goal just before the siren by Ted Widmer saw Sydney go into the first break with a 23-point lead.
The Black Diamond lifted its intensity after the break and Tom Head was a thorn in Sydney's defence.
With the aid of a strong breeze Black Diamond reduced the margin to three points.The third quarter was pivotal as Sydney was unable to register a goal while Black Diamond scored five, turning a half-time deficit into a 21-point three-quarter time lead.
Two late goals to Black Diamond gave an important three-quarter time advantage, and late goals to Head and Blake Erickson saw a 48-point final margin.
