By JARROD POTTER
VWFL – DIVISION 1 and 3
A SMALL-score victory was claimed triumphantly by Seaford in a 10-8 win over Cranbourne’s VWFL Division 1 side.
10 goals? Eight behinds? Nope. Seaford thumped 1.4 (10) to Cranbourne’s more minute 1.2 (8) – with scoring tough enough at Casey Fields on Sunday that the half time score was 2-0 favouring the Eagles in a soccer-style score-line.
The easterly gale stopped Cranbourne’s expansive footy from coming to fruition as all entries were forced wide and out of bounds towards the pavilion.
Thankfully, a couple of goals were earned – in the hardest way possible – as Hayley Wildes booted Cranbourne’s only major of the afternoon as conditions only got tougher through the third term.
Seaford stole one back and that would be enough – taking the baffling two-point win.
“We just couldn’t score,” Cranbourne coach Kris Smith said. “It was like two half back lines playing tennis – that’s the best way to describe it.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been in a game like that before.
“The wind was killing us – both sides got sucked onto that eastern side and we had chances to score, lots of chances, but didn’t make the most of them.”
Smith believes the two sides will be the ones to beat in this year’s Division 1 campaign and hopes his young Eagles can continue to improve week to week.
“Wouldn’t call it gut-wrenching, but it’s a good lesson for the girls – they’re still a young team starting to gel together properly,” Smith said.
“I’m not going to lose sleep over it – the points in round four are just as important as in round five.
“I think they (Seaford) are definitely going to be up there, and the way we’re going I’d hope we’re up there too.”
Smith praised Tess McEvoy for her hard-edged approach – scooping up a swag of clearances and feasting on the tough footy in and under the packs – as well as Corrine Cullis and Danielle Hardiman across half back to stop the Tigers’ pouncing.
Division 1 Eagles will clash with long-time rival Knox on Sunday from 2pm at Schultz Reserve.
Cranbourne’s Division 3 side fared better against the Tigers, taking a 2.5 (17) to 0.1 (1) triumph and will head to Endeavour Hills on Sunday in the first local-derby between the two sides.
