By DAVID NAGEL
PAKENHAM survived a scare against Keysborough, grinding out a 28-point win at Rowley Allen Reserve that has kept the Lions in contention for a Casey Cardinia league finals campaign.
This was an even contest, with both sides winning two quarters each, but it was the Lions’ 6.3 to 2.2 second term that made the difference in the end.
Coach Steve O’Bryan and Paul Gramc, who spent some time in the ruck, kicked three each for the winners who had Beau Wheeler, John Atwell, Russ Lehman and skipper Dean Blake in top form throughout the afternoon.
A finger injury to key-defender Michael Taurua, in the last quarter, could hurt the Lions when they take on fellow finals contenders Berwick and Doveton over the coming weeks.
Tyson King kicked five, and Dean Gentle four for the Burra, while Michael Downie, Reece Spadaccini and the consistent Glen Hawthorn had a day out on their own patch of turf.
THE Battle of the Creek between Berwick and Beaconsfield lived up to its name on Saturday, Beacy emerging nine-point winners after an absolute classic at Edwin Flack Reserve.
The first quarter started like a world-title fight, with both sides throwing jabs but neither delivering a knock-out blow.
A three-goal first term was well and truly trumped by an eight-goal second stanza that saw the Eagles get on top.
Berwick came out firing in the third, kicking the opening three goals of the term, before the Eagles responded with two of their own.
Late goals to Nathan Waite and Mitch Johnson saw the home side head into the last quarter with a 13-point lead.
The Eagles dominated play and deserved to snatch back the lead when Michael McPhie kicked truly at the 10-minute mark.
Jordy Andrews replied for the Wickers before late goals to Damien Szwaja and Troy McDermott sealed a famous victory.
Scott Meyer, Daniel Mislicki and Aaron Gwozdziewski were superb for the Eagles while Andrews, with four goals, Andrew Morozoff, Jake McLardy and Nick Sear were best for the Wickers.
ROC rode the emotion of club legend Mick Moylan’s 300th game all the way to a 45-point win over Tooradin at Starling Road.
In front of a huge crowd that turned out for the club’s Life Members and Sponsors Day, the Kangaroos also enjoyed the presence of former Richmond star Greg Tivendale who kicked four goals in a cameo at full-forward.
After a tight start the home side dominated the second and third quarters, kicking nine goals to two during that time, to take a match-winning 49-point margin to the final break.
Moylan was terrific in his milestone game while Ryan Hendy matched Tivendale’s contribution up forward as the Kangas made it three in a row.
Jake O’Donnell, Scott Szucs and Jordan Kelly were the pick of the Seagulls.
DOVETON moved back to third on the ladder after it outmuscled an improving Hampton Park by 91 points at Robinson Oval.
The Doves obliterated the Redbacks by 200 points in their season opener but were made to work a hell of lot harder this time around.
Matt Stocco was the most dangerous forward on the ground, kicking six for the Doves, with ‘Pickles’ Henry, four and Dean Kelly, three, others to hit the scoreboard hard.
Matt Stapleton, Daniel Zajac and captain/coach Shannon Henwood were other solid performers while Danny Cortese, Mat Adair and Aaron Holden were terrific for the Redbacks.
The top-two sides Narre Warren and Cranbourne had a bye.
