PENSHURST has held its nerve against a determined Glenthompson-Dunkeld at Penshurst Recreation Reserve on Saturday as the arch rivals played out a thrilling contest in round 13 of the Mininera and District Football League (MDFL), 10.7 (67) – 8.12 (60).
The teams entered the contest knowing that defeat could derail the season with only three games remaining in the home and away season.
The game was a classic ‘game of two halves’ as the Bombers dominated the play for the first half while the Rams took the honours after the long break.
At half time Penshurst held a 21-point lead and seemingly had the game in hand, but the visitors found another gear after the long break to have 14 shots on goal to the Bombers five.
It was inaccuracy that cost the Rams dearly though, as those 14 shots on goal resulted in 5.9 which didn’t reward the team for the domination it showed.
The scores drew level with five minutes remaining, but Penshurst kicked a major through Henry Bensch to draw away and the siren sounded soon after.
Jayden Watson, Kieran Neeson, Henry Bensch, Jack Kruger, Tim McGregor and Jacob Mibus were named as the Bombers best players but in reality, there could have been many others named, while the Rams had brilliant performers in Tyler Staude, Chris McLeod, Andrew Fry, Thomas Waters, Ben Cole and Jack Oswald.
Penshurst has risen to the fourth rung on the ladder, taking the spot that Glenthompson-Dunkeld occupied until Saturday with the Rams dropping to fifth.
Other games
ARARAT took care of business at home against Moyston-Willaura as the Eagles recorded a 120-point victory, 18.19 (127) – 0.7 (7),
The win lifts the Eagles to equal points with Glenthompson-Dunkeld but still a place behind the Rams on percentage which may become all important in the race for fifth spot.
Ararat has a local derby against Great Western this Saturday which it simply must win to stay in contact with the top five.
WOORNDOO-MORTLAKE produced the shock result of the round when the Tigers travelled to Lake Bolac Recreation Reserve and defeated the high-flying Wickliffe-Lake Bolac, 15.5 (95) – 9.5 (59).
The Tigers are now equal on points with the Magpies but still behind on percentage, but with a game against Caramut this Saturday the Tigers may well finish on the second rung of the ladder as Wickliffe-Lake Bolac plays ladder leaders Tatyoon away from home.
HAWKESDALE-MACARTHUR used its game against Caramut as a training exercise as the Eagles booted 27.28 (190) – 0.3 (3) to thrash the luckless Swans.
James North bagged 10 goals in a best on ground performance, but Tommy Jones, Xavier McCartney, Hamish Gleeson, Dylan Parsons and Aaron Seabrook all gave the visitors the upper hand from the first ball-up.
TATYOON consolidated its top of the ladder position with a 27.22 (187) – 2.3 (15) defeat of SMW Rovers at Conna Wilson Reserve, as Keiran Collins also bagged 10 goals and was voted as best on ground while Joshua Lee, William Henderson, Anthony Rosato, Thomas Quick and Samuel Phillips grabbed plenty of ball too.
LISMORE-DERRINALLUM got to sing the club song for only the fourth time this season after the Demons accounted for Great Western, 15.15 (105) – 7.12 (54) at Lismore Recreation Reserve with Lachie Constable, Josh Sanders, Liam Rigby, Steven Ryan, Nicholas Schiemer and Benjamin Atkins all staring for the home side.
