Nail-biters in Premier C

James Ried

@jamesried9

Premier C is a tipping nightmare as the section was riddled with close games and tight contests – and yet a standout favourite is still remaining seated. Peninsula snuck past Williamstown CYMS at Fearon Reserve to keep their undefeated start alive; Old Ivanhoe held on with a goalless final term to take four points from Old Camberwell; while Old Haileyburians sealed victory in the final seconds to claim the win over PEGS. Marcellin and Monash Blues favoured more thrashing-victories than the close calls, easing past Oakleigh and Therry Penola.

Peninsula successfully kept their undefeated streak alive in travelling to Fearon and squeezed past Williamstown by a one-goal margin. It was a low scoring affair throughout with the difference coming as a result of minor scores in favour of Peninsula. The Pirates held a one-goal lead in the first and never crept past two for the day’s play. The biggest advantage came at three-quarter-time of nine-points. The CY’s kicked two straight in the last to even the goal tally however Peninsula OB held on with one in the last to take the points home with them. Jeremy Gleeson and Vaughan Clarke were the only multiple goal kickers with two apiece for the Pirates, while Bradley Schuurman was B.O.G in the 60-54 victory.

Monash Blues proved their Round 1 loss was just a fault with two impressive wins on the trot to follow. Its defensive efforts outshone its offense as Monash kept Therry Penola in check to the final siren. After remaining goalless in the first Therry were restrained to just three goals for the game. Monash kicked a blistering 13 past the Lions. The Blues dealt Therry a beating – the second the Lions have received in three weeks. Andrew Young (2) and Tom Lancaster (2) made steady contributions while Andrew Hickey celebrated his 250^th with a best on ground performance.

Old Ivanhoe joined Peninsula at 3-0 following a win over Old Camberwell who sits at opposing ends of the ladder at 0-3. But the game didn’t play out like first verses last as Camberwell stuck fat and had the chance to steal victory late in the fourth. OIG held a 1-2 goal margin for the first three quarters until the Wells had its chance to edge its way into its first four points of the season. Old Ivanhoe kicked the solidary point in the last while Old Camberwell scored 1.5 and missed their opportunities and thus lost by 3-points. Ex-Melbourne player Chris Johnson bagged four for the victors; Carl Groth and Dave Bruno had powerhouse performances in the middle to set up the win for the Hoes.

PEGS had its eyes firmly set on its first victory of the season against Old Haileyburians – and the first 15 minutes it looked to be a drilling. 15 minutes in and PEGS’ full-forward Trent Skurrie had three majors on the board to Haileybury’s zero. The Bloods reversed the flow and kicked three of their own to end the early drumming. Old Haileybury flipped the script and kicked the first four in the second only for PEGS to do the same and keep the margin at 2-points at the long break. After another close term in the third, with the rain getting heavier in the fourth it became a battle of wits. OHAFC had a number of chances to take the lead in the last, none however successful. Until Jordan Toy got free to mark 25-metres out and showed the poise to kick the goal and Old Haileyburians snatched an unlikely 4-point victory with seconds remaining. Nick Gooda continued his dominant presence for the Bloods kicking four in another best on performance.

Marcellin rebounded after a disappointing Round 2 effort to stride past Oakleigh with reasonable ease. The Krushers were held goalless in the first term and faced an uphill battle against a 19-point deficit. Oaks edged their way back into the contest and won the second scoring five majors to be only 8-points adrift at halftime. An early goal to the Krushers in the third brought them within a kick until Marcellin quickly blasted seven unanswered goals to end the contest. Another four in the last for the visitors and the cue was put in the rack, allowing Oakleigh to cut the final margin to 44. Andrew Kay was clearly best afield having kicked five in the win.

This week, Old Ivanhoe host Old Haileyburians, tipping the Hoes to skip to 4-0 and knock off the Bloods. Williamstown CYMS plays Monash Blues, and with the Blues’ form it’ll secure the four points. PEGS travel to Therry Penola, two underperforming clubs at the minute but at home the Lions should claim the victory. Marcellin face Old Camberwell, a strong performance and four points expected to be won by the Eagles at home. Oakleigh take on Peninsula at Scammell Reserve, Peninsula to keep their undefeated run rolling.

Tips

Old Ivanhoe Gr. v Old Haileyburians

Williamstown CYMS v Monash Blues

Therry Penola v PEGS

Marcellin v Old Camberwell Gr.

Oakleigh v Peninsula