DIVISION ONE
FRANKSTON YCW suffered a thrilling three point loss to Bonbeach this Saturday, which sees their streak of games without a win in MPNFL Division One stretch to a stunning six matches.
After their match was called off last week due to an injury, the Stonecats were looking to snap their bad run of form against a Bonbeach side that has struggled at times this season.
Frankston YCW got off to a strong start and took a nine point lead into the first break, but Bonbeach were not going to let the game get away from them.
After the ball bounced to kick off proceedings in the second term, Bonbeach quickly kicked their way back into the game, and kept in touch with the Stonecats all day.
Bonbeach reduced the lead to just three points at half time, and they went on to take the lead and go into the final break with a three point advantage of their own.
A nail biting final quarter saw only two scoring shots registered, as both sides worked tirelessly to grasp desperately needed wins.
As the final siren sounded, it was Bonbeach who just had their noses ahead, as they gained a stunning victory over Frankston YCW 9.7 (61) to 8.10 (58).
The shock result for Frankston YCW sees them stumble to fifth place, uncharted territory for a side that is used to sitting comfortably in the top positions of the ladder. They take on fourth place Frankston Bombers in a vital clash at Greg Beck Oval next week.
Around the grounds, Mornington came close to pulling off the upset of the season, as they made Edithvale-Aspendale work hard for a gritty victory.
Mornington shocked their highly fancied opponents by racing out of the gates, kicking five goals to two in a one sided first quarter.
Not willing to go down without a fight, Edithvale-Aspendale stormed the second quarter with an impressive display of their own, as they kicked six goals to Mornington’s one to wrestle back the lead.
In difficult conditions, it became clear that one end was certainly the favourable scoring end, as Mornington went on to reclaim their lead by the three-quarter time break, but only by a narrow six point margin.
The ninth place Bulldogs were desperate to claim the win, but ultimately the strength of Edithvale-Aspendale overpowered them in the final term, as they bested the Bulldogs 12.8 (80) to 13.13 (91).
The win takes Edithvale-Aspendale to second place on the ladder, one game behind Sorrento.
Last weekend Edithvale-Aspendale also claimed a hard fought victory, as they took on Pines in a thrilling encounter. The contest swung back and forth throughout the day, but as the final siren sounded it was Edithvale-Aspendale who found themselves just ahead. The score finished Pines 12.17 (89) to Edithvale-Aspendale 14.6 (90).
At Olympic Oval, Rosebud played host to in form ladder leaders Sorrento.
Sorrento were boosted by the return of tall forward Chris Dawes, a welcomed addition to a side that was already strong as it was.
The Sharks flexed their muscle with a dominant showing in the first half, as they went into the main break with a comfortable 37 point advantage.
Lowly Rosebud were able to show some signs of fight in the second half, but exited the contest with nothing to show for it, as they succumbed to Sorrento 9.9 (63) to 15.12 (102).
It was a complete team performance from the Sharks, with Zach Byrns, Nick Corp, and Chris Dawes kicking three goals each.
The win keeps the Sharks a game clear on top of the ladder and caps off a good week for Sorrento, as they confirmed during the week that they had locked in playing coach Luke Tapscott to continue coaching the club next season.
Belvedere Reserve also saw action on Saturday, as bottom of the ladder Seaford hosted Frankston Bombers.
Despite entering the contest with just one win to their name, Seaford looked the better team in the early stages of the contest, as they went into the quarter time break with a four point lead.
Although they looked as if they might provide some fight in the first quarter, Frankston Bombers quickly asserted their authority on the match, as they kicked away with a seven goal to one second quarter that put Seaford out of the contest.
Seaford could not cut back the lead throughout the rest of the afternoon, as Frankston Bombers ran out convincing victors 10.5 (65) to 15.14 (104).
Curtis Baker performed valiantly for the losing side with five goals, while Jay Reynolds and Sam Fox both booted five majors each for the victors. Fox has now booted ten goals in his last two games.
In the final match of Division One this weekend, Pines took on Mt Eliza at Eric Bell Reserve. Pines were coming off a heartbreaking one point loss to Edithvale-Aspendale last weekend, and were looking to bounce back with a win.
The contest was an even one, with the margin only standing at three points in Pines’ favour at the three-quarter time break.
Despite looking set to go down to the wire, Mt Eliza showed their class and quality in the final term to run away with that game, with the score finishing 7.15 (57) to 11.9 (75) in Mt Eliza’s favour.
First published in the Mornington News – 3 July 2018
