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MORNINGTON NEWS
Sharks secure top spot on ladder DIVISION ONE
By Brodie Cowburn SORRENTO have all but locked up the top spot on the ladder after a hard fought win against Mornington on Saturday. Sorrento made the big road trip to Alexandra Park keen to get a win over the bottom placed Bulldogs. A win would have kept them four points ahead of Pines on the ladder with just one game remaining in the season. Sorrento have a big percentage advantage over the Pythons, meaning top spot was theirs for the taking. The Sharks started well with a three goals to one first term, but the Bulldogs bit back in the second quarter. Heading into the main break, Mornington found themselves with a shock two point lead. Sorrento got things back under control in the third quarter, establishing a five goal buffer. That lead would be enough to see them go on to secure the win. The Sharks were helped by coach Luke Tapscott, who played brilliantly in the win. The tough midfielder booted six goals in a best on ground performance. Mornington gave their all in the first half but just weren’t strong enough to defeat Sorrento. The final score was 7.12 (54) to 13.10 (88).
The loss dooms Mornington to bottom place on the ladder. At Eric Bell Reserve, Pines got back on the winners board with a big win over Rosebud. Rosebud looked competitive early with a two goals to one first quarter, but they struggled for the rest of the day. The two goals the Buds kicked in the first term were their only two for the game. The Pythons worked their way into the contest and looked better with every passing quarter. Pines secured an impressive victory 10.10 (70) to 2.10 (22). Aaron Edwards was excellent for the Pythons, booting six goals. Bonbeach played host to Dromana on Saturday in what would prove to be a tight contest. The home side looked the better side early on, but were wasteful in front of goal. Bonbeach had eight scoring opportunities in the first quarter, but could only convert one of them into a goal. Dromana were more efficient in front of goal, punishing Bonbeach for their scoring woes. The Tigers went into the half time break with a narrow lead despite having half as many scoring shots. Bonbeach took back the lead heading into the final term, but were eventually overrun by Dromana. The Tigers
had to fight for it, but they eventually secured victory over Bonbeach 4.14 (38) to 6.6 (42). At Emil Madsen Reserve, Mt Eliza and Frankston YCW faced off in a scrappy contest. Mt Eliza were playing catch up all afternoon after going scoreless in the first term, Both sides had trouble finding goals all day, but the Stonecats looked the better side. YCW went into the final quarter with a three goal lead. Neither side managed to score a goal in the final term, meaning the Stonecats secured the win over the Redlegs 5.6 (36) to 8.6 (54). At Greg Beck Oval, Frankston Bombers got the win over EdithvaleAspendale. The Bombers looked the better side from the get go, and never let Edi-Asp get too close. Jarrad Grant showed his class with a brilliant game. He kicked four goals in a best on ground display. The Bombers ended up getting the win 11.11 (77) to 8.8 (56). With one game remaining for the year, the top five is decided. Sorrento, Pines, Dromana, Frankston YCW, and Bonbeach will compete in finals. Messi contest: Ethan Johnstone scores off the ground in Dromana’s scrappy win over Bonbeach. Picture: Andrew Hurst
Hillmen enter finals in first DIVISION TWO
By Brodie Cowburn SOMERVILLE locked up a finals spot with a big win over Hastings on Saturday. The game was expected to be a close one, with both sides coming into the contest with an equal amount of wins. Somerville raced out of the blocks with a five goals to one first quarter, but the Blues wrestled back control in the second term. They were down by five at the main break. Somerville were the better side in the second half, holding Hastings to just one goal. It was a tough task at times, but Somerville eventually secured the win and clinched a finals berth with a 10.10 (70) to 5.9 (39) win. Paul Fermanis booted four goals for Somerville, while Brendan Fevola booted two for the Blues. Fevola ended up playing 10 games for the Blues this year for a return of 30 goals. At Lloyd Park, Red Hill locked up the top spot on the ladder in a low scoring scrap against Langwarrin. The Hillmen have got the majority of their wins for the year thanks to stunning defensive displays, and things were no different on Saturday. They held Langwarrin goalless in the first half, but they had their own struggles hitting the scoreboard. Red Hill managed just the one goal of their own in the first half. The game opened up a little more in the second half, and the Hillmen began to find form in front of goal. The Kangaroos struggled all day, and eventually succumbed to defeat against Red Hill 2.6 (18) to 7.7 (49). Red Hill’s win saw them finish the year on top of the ladder. Their biggest rivals and strongest challengers for the year have been Karingal, who were set to face Pearcedale at Ballam Park. Pearcedale have struggled badly all year, and the game looked to be a good opportunity for Karingal to get a confidence boosting win ahead of a premiership tilt. The day didn’t go to plan for the Bulls. They couldn’t get a big win before their finals cam-
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Mornington News
13 August 2019
paign kicked off, but they will be well rested. The clash between Karignal and Pearcedale was called off after a pipe burst underneath the ground in the reserves match. At the opposite end of the ladder, Crib Point were presented an opportunity to finally claw their way off the bottom if they could beat Tyabb. The Yabbies looked good early, and held the Magpies to just one behind in the first quarter. It looked as if it would be another difficult day for Crib Point, but they fought back after the first break. The Yabbies had their lead chipped back to just one point heading into half time. Both sides traded blows in a tight, tense third quarter. Heading into the final term both sides were level with nothing to separate them. The Magpies were desperate to get their second win for the year, and showed plenty of fight in the final term. They had to work for it but they eventually claimed a narrow win over Tyabb 10.8 (68) to 11.7 (73). The win sees the Magpies move up from the bottom of the ladder. Around the grounds, Devon Meadows came from behind to claim a good win over Chelsea. The final score read Chelsea 8.17 (65) to Devon Meadows 10.13 (73). At Belvedere Reserve, Seaford needed everything to go their way to make finals. They did their part by easily defeating Rye, but other results didn’t work in their favor. They defeated the Demons 13.10 (88) to 5.6 (36), but still fell just short of the top five. Red Hill, Karingal, Langwarrin, Chelsea, and Somerville will contest finals this year. Karingal will take on Langwarrin at Somerville on Saturday in the qualifying final. Chelsea take on Somerville at Alexandra Park on Sunday in an elimination clash.
Somerville soar: Somerville locked up a finals spot with a win over Hastings. Picture: Andrew Hurst