By DAVID NAGEL
SOME old-fashioned guts and determination has seen Cranbourne hold off a fast-finishing Beaconsfield in their round-six Casey Cardinia league clash at Casey Fields on Saturday night.
Scott Sutherland’s Eagles overcame some injuries to key players in their 10-point victory – which leaves them in second place – as country football takes a well-deserved break this weekend for the Worksafe VCFL Championships.
Cranbourne lost running midfielder Glenn Osborne midway through the first term and then watched on helplessly as number-one ball-winner Curtis Barker limped from the field early in the last term.
The home side appeared to have the edge all evening but, when Beaconsfield kicked two late goals in the final term, the margin narrowed to just four points.
A strong-tackle on centre wing resulted in the ball spilling forward for Cranbourne – Tim Smith putting the finishing touches on a brave victory. Smith, Barker and Michael Thompson were terrific for the winners while skipper Marc Holt was well held, but kicked three important goals after half-time. Scott Meyer and Daniel Mislicki were absolutely outstanding for the losers.
BERWICK’s dream of a double-chance is still well and truly alive after the Wickers survived a real scare to win by 26 points against ROC at Edwin Flack Reserve.
Rhys Nisbet and his side have handled every challenge with aplomb this season, and now face a new one in how to handle a growing level of expectation.
ROC, with the aid of a strong breeze, led the Wickers by 11-points at quarter time before the home side fought back to take a one-point lead into the main break. It’s a margin they held onto with a gritty third term before kicking 5.5 to 2.4 in the final quarter.
On-baller Madi Andrews played a great captain’s game for the Wickers while Nathan Waite kicked six to be the most influential forward on the ground. Tim Gunn, Mick Manley and Daniel Harrison were other talls to shine while Ben O’Loughlin and Blair Allan were best for the Kangaroos.
NARRE Warren full-forward Kerem Baskaya dined out on his former-club Hampton Park with a brilliant 12-goal display in the Magpies 181-point victory at Fox Road.
The sure-hands of Baskaya proved too much for the Redbacks to handle as the match-up between the top and bottom sides in the league went down an expected path.
The Magpies typically showed no mercy, a 10.5 to 1.0 final term putting the icing on their 42nd consecutive victory. Jackson Parker, Dylan Quirk and Ryan Morrison were fantastic for the Magpies – but it was really a day that belonged to one man.
PAKENHAM’s deplorable kicking at goal was the reason the Lions had to fight harder than expected for their 18-point victory over Doveton at Toomuc Reserve.
The Lions had the advantage of a strong-breeze in the first term, but kicked 1.9 to keep Shannon Henwood’s boys in the contest. The Doves led by three points at half time before the Lions lifted, kicking five unanswered goals to steal a match-winning lead early in the last quarter.
It was a day that suited defenders, Jarrod Tonks, Ben Keane and Sam Blackwood playing solid games for the Lions while Jake Mullen returned from a two-game break in impressive style for the Doves.
TOORADIN has finally turned its competitive brand of football into four points with a 45-point victory over Keysborough at Rowley Allen Reserve. The Seagulls have been competitive against some good teams in recent weeks but – late in games – just haven’t been able to get the job done. There were no such problems on Saturday however as the visitors kicked 5.6 to 2.2 in the final term to run out convincing winners.
Matt Wade and Jake O’Donnell controlled the midfield for the Seagulls while Davor Rajic kicked five goals for the Burra.
CCFL will return for round seven on Saturday 31 May.
