Trentham triumphed over the Avoca Bulldogs in a spirited encounter at the Trentham Reserve last Saturday in round 15 of the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League season.
With three rounds to go in the home and away season, Trentham remains in third spot on the ladder. The dominant performance firming up their status as a finals contender.
The Saints opened their account with a seven-goal haul in the first quarter while holding Avoca scoreless and held a 47-point lead at quarter-time.
To their credit, the Bulldogs managed to hold Trentham to just 1.2 in the second term and snuck through a point to trail by 53 points at half-time.
The Bulldogs were finally rewarded with a couple of goals for their efforts in the third term. However, the Saints had the answers kicking another four goals to extend their margin to 69 points at three-quarter-time.
The Bulldogs continued to attempt to thwart the Saints avenues to goal in the final term, but Trentham was too classy and kicked another two to win the match comfortably by 83 points.
James Regan led the way for the Saints with four and Jake Keogh chipped in three. Zachary Gervasoni and Bryce Hinneberg were among the other top contributors.
Trentham will face a real test this weekend when they take on the second-placed Harcourt Lions who will be fresh from the bye.
FIVE-POINT WIN
Newstead recorded a thrilling five-point win over Talbot on the road.
The Roos started out on a positive note kicking two goals in the first term while holding the Hawks to just four points.
Nine points seperated the sides at quarter-time.
The Steaders lifted in the second smashing on another four goals to one to extend their advantage to 26 points at half-time.
The Hawks fought their way back into the clash in the third term kicking four goals and managing to contain Newstead to three to win the quarter the bridge the gap to 20 points at the final change.
Talbot continued to throw everything they had at the Roos in the final term kicking another two goals and preventing the Steaders run on goal to hold them to just one solitary point. But the Steaders managed to hold on to win by five points at the final siren.
Tyler James kicked three for the Roos while Hayden Hall, Michael Runciman and Alex Murphy were among the other standouts.
BOMBERS BOUNCE BACK
Maldon, fresh from the bye, also bounced back with a gritty win over Navarre at Navarre.
The first term was an even affair with both sides kicking two apiece and the Grasshoppers holding a slender three-point lead at quarter-time.
Maldon played the better footy in the second term kicking two goals to Navarre’s one to inch ahead and hold a nine-point buffer at the long break.
The third term was a real arm wrestle as the Grasshoppers were determined to shut down the Dons and did just that. Navarre preventing them from kicking so much as a point while only managing 1.1 to claw their way back to within two points at the final change.
The Grasshoppers continued to battle hard in the last term kicking another two goals, but Maldon sensing that victory could be snatched from their grasp dug in their heels kicking 3.2 to win by seven points.
Brodie Leonard-Shannon once again led the way kicking 3 for Maldon. Noah Thompson and Damian Wust were among the other better players.
Campbells Creek lost their bout against a determined Dunolly Eagles.
Creek once again made a positive start getting a goal on the board and held the Eagles to four to only trail by 18 points at quarter-time.
To their credit, the Magpies continued to lock the Eagles down in the second term holding them to just two goals for the term but were unable to make an impact at the other end of the ground.
At half-time just 31 points separated the sides.
However, the Eagles lifted their intensity in the second half smashing on another 10 goals to eventually run out winners by 97 points.
Hadley Bassett and Mitchell Spencer were among the best for Creek.
In the final match of the round, Natte Bealiba pulled out all the stops to defeat Carisbrook by 60 points. The top-of-the-table Swans outfit has really hit their stride at the business end of the season and will be determined to keep that momentum going when they tackle Newstead and Maldon in the coming two rounds before face Harcourt in the final round of the season.
Harcourt, Lexton and Maryborough Giants had the bye.
Netball
On the netball court in A-grade matches, Avoca turned the tables with a strong win over Trentham 56-31. Best for the Saints were Tarnee Hammond and Jacqui Bell. Newstead 38 went down to Talbot 60. Best for the Steaders were Tayla Gale and Brianna Jury.
Dunolly 68 defeated Campbells Creek 38. Best for the Creekers was Lillie Wrigley with 31 goals. Natte Bealiba 57 accounted for Carisbrook 34. Navarre v Maldon – no scores available at the time of going to press. Harcourt, Lexton and Maryborough had the bye.
This week
This week in round 16 matches, Avoca hosts Campbells Creek, Carisbrook takes on Navarre, Lexton versus Maryborough Giants, Maldon hosts Talbot, Newstead welcomes Natte Bealiba, Harcourt tackles Trentham and Dunolly has the bye
