DIVISION TWO
A TWO point thriller between Red Hill and Rye was the pick of the games in MPNFL Division Two football this weekend.
Eventual winners Rye were comfortably ahead for most of the day, but a last quarter fight back from Red Hill almost soured their day. Going into the last quarter, Rye held a comfortable 29 point lead, with their opponents only managing to have kicked a paltry two goals and seven behinds. Red Hill however looked a different side after the last break, and piled on five goals to one in a thrilling last quarter that saw the contest come down to the wire.
Despite the barrage of final quarter goals from Red Hill, Rye were able to just hold on to win, and will be sure to not get complacent in future contests after this almighty scare.
Rye’s Thomas Baker and Tyrren Head were listed as best on ground in the 7.11 (53) to 8.7 (55) win.
Crib Point went into their home clash against struggling Langwarrin hopeful they could notch their first win of the season, but they again struggled as Langwarrin were able to secure a comfortable victory to steady their rocky start to the year.
The leading goalscorer for the league Jesse Murphy again starred for Langwarrin, booting six goals in a best on ground performance. The forward has been in unstoppable form as of late, and Crib Point could do little to stop him.
Mykelti Lefau of Crib Point hammered home five goals of his own, but ultimately it was for nothing as Langwarrin secured an easy 8.7 (55) to 12.10 (82) win, taking them to seventh on the ladder and leaving Crib Point languishing in last place.
Another intriguing clash between two sides battling near the bottom of the ladder was the match between Tyabb and Pearcedale at Bunguyan Reserve on Saturday.
Pearcedale’s Luke Jennings, playing his first match for the season, played an integral role in securing a win for his side with a five goal performance. Pearcedale led for close to the whole day, finishing with a comfortable 10.11 (71) to 16.13 (109) win.
Pearcedale will have to be on the top of their game next week to be any hope of taking out a second consecutive win, as they are set to take on an unbeaten Dromana, who cemented their spot on the top of the ladder with a win against a respectable Hastings side.
Hastings, sitting at fifth on the ladder going into the match, did not look overawed by the occasion and went into quarter time with scores level against their undefeated opponents at Dromana Recreation Reserve.
Despite fighting hard, Dromana simply were too good, with another three goals from in-form Ethan Johnstone helping them to a 16.16 (112) to 11.8 (74) win.
Ending the round just below Dromana in second and third place on the ladder were Karingal and Chelsea, who both enjoyed a fairly worry free round of football this weekend.
Karingal hosted Devon Meadows at home on Saturday, and never looked like losing. Devon Meadows struggled badly to break down Karingal, only managing one goal in the first half.
While Devon Meadows were able to win respect by holding Karingal goalless in the third quarter, it wasn’t enough to get them close to a victory, with Karingal claiming a comprehensive win 10.17 (77) to 3.8 (26).
Chelsea also put on a clinical performance away from home against Somerville, claiming all four points without much hassle.
Chelsea looked a class above, with Curtis Bywater’s six goals being the highlight of an easy day at work. Bywater now has 23 goals for the year, putting himself comfortably in contention to claim the league’s leading goal kicker award come seasons end.
Somerville find themselves with a good chance to make amends with a clash against lowly Tyabb next week, but for now will have to lick their wounds as they went down by 42 points to Chelsea, 7.16 (58) to 15.10 (100).