A courageous, skilled and straight-kicking Kyneton combination toppled third-placed Golden Square by seven points on Saturday, lifting hopes of making the Bendigo League football finals this season.
In a close and intriguing battle at the Showgrounds, the Tigers delighted coach Paul Chapman, selectors and supporters by outscoring the opposition by four goals to two in the crucial final quarter.
Kyneton has moved to fifth on the ladder, and with an undoubted boost in confidence and the clash at Eaglehawk on Saturday can easily be rated at the match of the seventh round.
Beaten for the first time this season the previous Saturday, a fired up Golden Square expected to bounce back with a victory.
It was not to be, and scores were close throughout with the Tigers’ pace and skills on show.
Big man James Orr lifted the Tigers, and on-baller Dean Bartrop showed his class with plenty of possessions.
Up forward, the very accomplished recruit Cam Manual followed up his six goals in the previous round with five more on Saturday; Ben Cameron chipped in with four majors as well and from a Tigers’ perspective the absolute belief and will to win was extremely pleasing.
More than the average number of 50-metre penalties were handed down, and the Tigers took advantage with straight kicking when it mattered.
The Tigers were pleased to keeping Golden Square’s dangerous forwards under control for much of the match.
At half-time there was a growing level of excitement around the ground, with Kyneton trailing by just three points; five goals to four in the third quarter left the Tigers two points down with perhaps their season on the line.
The Tigers received huge applause from supporters when the final siren sounded, and there was a celebratory atmosphere at the evening’s entertainment at the Showgrounds.
Now it’s full attention to this Saturday’s encounter at Eaglehawk.
Match scores:
Kyneton 3.4, 6.3, 11.4, 15.5 (95) d Golden Square 2.1, 6.6, 10.12, 12.16 (88).
Goals: C. Manuel 5, B. Camero 4, D. Bartrop 2, R. Maginn, E. Turner, M. Crozier, A. Nolte.
Best: J. Orr, Bartrop, Cameron, F. Driscoll, J. Safstrom, Nolte.
Goals (GS) : B. Vaz 4, J. Brett 2, L. Jacques, X. Morley, J. Stewart, H. Morcom, H. Burke, D. Barrett.
Best: J. Coe, J. Merrin, J. Geary, Vaz, J. Hickman, L. Barrett.
SQUARE TOO STRONG
In the earlier matches the Golden Square visitors proved too strong for the Kyneton Reserves and Under 18s.
Reserves: Golden Square 11.10 (76) d Kyneton 5.2 (32).
Goals (K) – J. Plowman 3, M. Johns, T. Agnew.
Best – C. Fisher, Johns, R. Dubens, J. Ellis, B. Smith, Plowman.
Under 18s: Golden Square 12.12 (84) d Kyneton 3.9 (27).
Goals – J. Smith, J. Girvan, H. Buchanan.
Best – H. Sheahan, C. May, B. Muir, F. Ellis, Girvan, Buchanan.
