THE Mininera and District Football League finalists are locked in despite one round still remaining in the home and away season.
Penshurst d Hawkesdale-Macarthur
HAWKESDALE-MACARTHUR travelled hosted the second-placed Bombers in hopes of upsetting one of the premiership favourites, but fell well short at the final siren, going down by 86 points.
The visitors got out to an early 14-point lead at quarter time, before the home side fell away in the second term, kicking two goals to six to go into half time trailing by 43 points.
The fifth-placed Eagles could only add two more goals in the second half, as Penshurst went on to record a 18.16 (124) to 6.2 (38) victory.
Josh Rentsch finished with six goals for the winners, while Kieran Neeson was named the Bombers’ best.
Lachlan Glare led the way for Hawkesdale-Macarthur with three majors, with Aaron Seabrook also impressive for the home side.
Despite the loss, the Eagles remain in fifth, six points clear of Tatyoon and will play finals in 2024.
Glenthompson-Dunkeld v Ararat Eagles
THE Rams struggled against the visiting Ararat Eagles at Glenthompson Recreation Reserve, losing by 74 points in the round 15 clash.
Ararat set the tone for the clash from the outset, piling on seven goals to zero, to go into quarter time leading by 45 points.
Glenthompson-Dunkeld could only manage two goals in the second term, while Ararat added six more majors to go into half time with a comfortable 68-point lead.
Both sides made the most of scoring chances, with accurate goal kicking at both ends, as the visitors went on to win, 20.9 (129) to 8.7 (55).
Tom Waters and Jezza Woods each kicked two goals each for the home side, with the latter also named the Rams’ best player.
Other games
INACCURACY nearly cost the Magpies top spot, with Wickliffe-Lake Bolac defeating Lismore-Derrinalum by four points.
The Demons made the visitors earn the win at Lismore Recreation Reserve, kicking 13.6 (84) to the Magpies’ 12.16 (88).
Great Western made light work of Woorndoo-Mortlake at North Park, winning 21.14 (140) to 11.11 (77).
The final two games of the round were also big margins, as SMW Rovers defeated Caramut at Mininera Recreation Reserve, 24.15 (159) to 9.10 (64), while Tatyoon had the biggest win of the round, with Moyston-Willaura’s tough season continuing.
The Pumas lost to the Hawks, 29.14 (188) to 13.5 (83), at Tatyoon Recreation Reserve.
Netball
THE Mininera and District Netball Association top five is confirmed, with round 15 games cementing the finalists for 2024.
Hawkesdale-Macarthur d Penshurst
HAWKESDALE-MACARTHUR snuffed out Penshurst’s slim finals chance with a 31-goal win at Hawkesdale Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
THE Eagles burst out of the blocks and led by 10 goals at the first break, before 15 goals in the second term saw the margin grow out to 18 goals at the main break.
Penshurst did its best to try and reel in the deficit in the second half, but eventually went down, 33-64.
Olivia Twaddle continued her stunning season with 45 goals for the winners, while Katherine Rentsch top-scored for Penshurst with 22 goals.
Ararat Eagles d Glenthompson-Dunkeld
GLENTHOMPSON-DUNKELD put up a brave effort against ladder leaders, Ararat Eagles, but was unable to cause an upset, going down, 17-46 at Glenthompson Recreation Reserve.
The Rams trailed by 17 at half time, before going down by 29 goals at the final whistle.
Jane Robertson finished with 14 goals for the home side.
Other games
SMW Rovers held on in a thriller against Caramut, 37-33, at Mininera Recreation Reserve, while second-placed Tatyoon made light work of the Pumas, winning at home, 81-15.
Woorndoo-Mortlake looks to have secured the double chance after a 50-32 victory against Great Western, while Lismore-Derrinallum also got on the winners list, defeating Wickliffe-Lake Bolac, 47-36.
