Ballarat High thrashes Western Heights, marches into VSSSA semis

BALLARAT High School has joined the city's school football party, booking a place in Tuesday's VSSSA football semi-finals.After a torrid Ballarat Associated Schools campaign, High School responded by thrashing Geelong school Western Heights College 15.11 (101) to 5.2 (32) at White Flat Reserve yesterday.If High School wins through the semi final stage at Royal Park in Melbourne on Tuesday, its next match will be the VSSSA grand final at the MCG on August 1.Ballarat High director of sport Rob Simmonds said the strong BAS competition had toughened up the team for its VSSSA campaign but yesterday's victory was a much-needed confidence boost."I think at the start of the season the boys just assumed they might have been playing on the MCG in the VSSSA final. A few of those heavy losses to St Pat's and College helped get our focus back on our pressure and hitting targets," Simmonds said."Maybe those losses might have shaken the boys' confidence. This victory has given the group a good sense of belief they can go all the way."The Ballarat school set up the victory in the first half to lead by 36 points at half-time.Alex Stepnell was the architect of the victory in the middle, feeding the ball out to Lincoln Barnes, Keenan George and Jarryd Hill.Simmonds said Jack Jess will return in time for Tuesday's match, bringing the squad back to full strength.The VSSSA grand final will be the curtain raiser to the AFL clash between Richmond and Adelaide.Ballarat High has been runner-up in the VSSSA football competition for the past two seasons.Ballarat High School 15.11 (101) Western Heights College 5.2 (32) BALLARAT HIGH _ Best: Alex Stepnell, Pacian Netherway, Lincoln Barnes, Keenan George, Lachie Cassidy, Jarryd Hill.Goals: Pacian Netherway 5, Jamie Tung 2, Keenan George 2, Alex Briody 2, Alex Stepnell 2, Jarryd Hill, Matt Briody.