By DAVID NAGEL
IT WAS a case of too little too late for Pakenham on Saturday, the Lions producing a stunning finish but still going down to Berwick by six points in the South East Football Netball League match-of-the-day at Toomuc Reserve.
Trailing by 48 points at three-quarter time, the Lions waited until the 15-minute mark of the final term to make their run – a tremendous 10-minute burst that almost caught the Wickers off guard.
But as brave as the Lions were, this one would have been a steal after the Wickers dominated proceedings from the first bounce.
Rhys Nisbet’s navy blues kicked 7.2 to 0.2 in the first term, Ben Kearns dynamic, kicking three of his five goals for the afternoon in the opening stanza.
The Wickers had winners everywhere, Ryan Hillard was doing a job on Jake Smith; Tim Vrevc was nullifying Dean Blake’s influence around the ground, while Jo West, Michael Johnson, Lucas Jellyman-Turner and Michael Riseley were impenetrable down back.
And captain Madi Andrews was aggressive at the contest all day.
Pakenham playing-coach Steve O’Bryan tried hard to lift his side across the line in the last quarter, but the Lions second loss in succession sees them drop from second to fifth on the ladder.
Narre Warren rode a fast-start all the way to a 42-point victory over Doveton at Fox Road.
The Magpies’ opening 20 minutes of football was simply superb, chasing, tackling, harassing, and converting their chances on their way to 6.3 (39) to 0.0 start. Full credit to the Doves, they held firm after an initial onslaught that showed they’re still a fair way off the mark.
The opening burst was almost perfect from the Magpies, who had some question marks coming in about their ability to perform after a 20-day break leading in.
“It was important that we got away to a good start because, to be honest, I wasn’t sure if we would run out of gas after the two weeks off,” Narre coach Chris Toner said.
Full-forward Kerem Baskaya kicked three first-quarter goals, on his way to five for the day, while three goals to Matt Lee, brilliant games in defence from Ryan Morrison and Ben King, and a great game from Jake Richardson in the ruck were other highlights.
Mitch Davies and Jake Dermott held firm for the Doves in defence.
Reigning-premier Beaconsfield was made to work hard for three quarters before pulling away from Tooradin at Holm Park Reserve.
The Eagles led by just 23 points at three-quarter time before a five-goal-to-one final term put the issue beyond doubt. Troy McDermott kicked three for the Eagles, a figure matched by Matt Wade for the Seagulls.
ROC made it two wins from its last three outings with a 10-goal victory over Hampton Park at Robert Booth Reserve.
The Kangaroos looked like blowing this one to smithereens in the second half, but their 57-point lead at half time only grew marginally after the break. Sean Roach was the star for the Kangas, booting six, while evergreen performer Ben Tivendale finished the day with three.
Andrew Shipp, Nathan Carver and Nathan Allen were best for the Redbacks.
