With plenty at stake, Kyneton senior footballers rallied in the last quarter on Saturday to defeat Romsey by 18 points.
The clash at the Showgrounds after the King’s Birthday weekend holiday was important to both sides as far as securing a favourable ladder position entering the finals.
It’s a Final Six this season, and Kyneton has managed to win six of its eight games to occupy third place on the Riddell League ladder.
The inaccurate Redbacks slipped to sixth spot on the ladder after a sluggish start, inexcusable inaccuracy, and a meritorious third term comeback which put the home side under plenty of pressure.
The Kyneton hierarchy and supporters were entitled to be pleased how the side “stood up” when it mattered, kicking 4.3 to 2.2 in the last quarter.
It was cold, extremely cold, for all concerned. Not so long ago there were urgent warnings about lighting fires outside, but winter has changed that.
Romsey’s Jack Jedwab did not have his usual influence, and a score of 2.13 by half time was not one to please coach Nathan Blair.
The third term was the Redbacks’ best, and less than a goal separated the two sides going into the last quarter.
Now it’s the ultimate test for Ethan Foreman’s Tigers as they travel to confront ladder leader Diggers Rest this Saturday.
In an ominous display at Wallan, Diggers Rest dominated the first half and went on to scuttle the battling Magpies by 48 points.
MACEDON IMPRESS
Macedon played some of its best team football this season to win by 10 goals against Melton Centrals.
The Cats may be seventh on the ladder, but their list is such they are a danger to sides just above them in the race to the finals.
Charlie Rossetti put in another display which must rate him as one of the recruits of the season.
Seven goals to one in the first term set up Riddell’s 65 points victory at Lancefield.
The Bombers are second on the ladder, with the best percentage of all contenders.
Lancefield did well to restrict the visitors to eight goals across the final three quarters.
Reuben Schembri was listed as the Tigers’ best — a position he has occupied in a couple of other games.
HAWKS BATTLE HARD
Woodend-Hesket fully tested finals contender Melton South at Gilbert Gordon Reserve, as coach Al Rae played his 100th game for the Hawks.
The match was close throughout, until the visitors kicked 5.1 in the last term to win by 16 points.
Marcus Stapleton, in a rare patch of form, was the Hawks’ best.
