scoreboard Ladder leaders suffer shock first defeat MORNINGTON NEWS
DIVISION ONE
By Brodie Cowburn IT was a week of firsts in the MPNFL Division One competition this weekend with Frankston YCW slipping up for the first time this season, going down in a shock loss at home to Pines on Saturday. After a disappointing performance against bottom placed Mornington last week, YCW were made to pay for their poor form with their first defeat of the year in a tense contest. The low scoring affair saw both teams struggle for goals, with Frankston YCW putting on two goalless quarters. Neither side was able to bag a major in the final term, and Pines were able to hang onto a three goal lead to claim victory 5.9 (30) to 8.8 (56). It was a weekend of contrasting fortunes for bottom placed Mornington however, who battled hard to earn their first victory of the year in a thriller against Bonbeach at Alexandra Park. Mornington again had to endure a final quarter comeback from their opposition, but this week held on to emerge as victors, winning 8.7 (55) to 8.6 (54). The one point win takes Mornington to one win and six losses for the year, but they still find themselves bottom of the ladder. However, they are now only a win away from surpassing Seaford and Rosebud and lifting themselves from last place. A disappointing Bonbeach side will be looking to bounce back quickly against Seaford at home next Saturday. It was another disappointing weekend for Seaford, who were easily beaten by a clinical Sorrento side on Saturday. Leigh Poholke of Sorrento continued his excellent run of goal scoring form, bagging four majors to help his side to victory. Poholke has now scored 12 goals in his last three games, establishing himself as one of the competition’s in form players.
Sorrento were comfortable throughout the entire day, and eventually waltzed to an easy 14.8 (92) to 5.10 (40) victory. The win saw Sorrento capitalise of Frankston YCW’s shock loss, as they leapfrogged them to finish on top of the ladder at the end of the round. At Emil Madsen Reserve, Mt Eliza were able to pile more misery on an already torrid Rosebud season, winning with ease in a one sided affair. Rosebud were competitive in the early stages, and went into half time only six points behind their third placed opponents. Despite their early signs of fight, a third quarter onslaught of eight goals to one saw Mt Eliza blow Rosebud out of the water, ending the game with a comfortable 17.9 (111) to 6.16 (51) victory. Jordan Capkin was the pick of the goalkickers on the day with five majors, while the league’s top goal scorer Jordan Moncrieff continued his impressive start to the year with another bag of four, taking his tally for the season so far to 25. Edithvale-Aspendale were the last of the victors for the weekend, fighting off a spirited Frankston Bombers at Greg Beck Oval. The match was neck and neck all throughout the afternoon, with Frankston Bombers battling hard to enter three-quarter time with a two point lead. Despite their advantage going into the main break, Edithvale-Aspendale were able to find another gear in the final term, holding the Bombers scoreless. Best on ground performances by Nicholas Connellan and Sam Monaghan were enough to drag EdithvaleAspendale over the line, eventually running out 7.10 (52) to 11.11 (77) victors. Edithvale-Aspendale will leave the clash full of confidence heading into next week’s blockbuster against Mt Eliza at Regents Park, with the winner set to cement their position in third place.
Rosebud woes: Mt Eliza easily accounted for Rosebud with a 60 point win. Picture: Andrew Hurst
Rye survive rampant Red Hill resurgence DIVISION TWO
By Brodie Cowburn 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 inform 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).
Up hill battle: Rye held off a late fightback by Red Hill to grab the win by two points. Picture: Andrew Hurst Mornington News 15 May 2018
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