By Nick Creely
SOUTH EAST FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE
REVIEW – ROUND 13
Cranbourne and ROC played out a thrilling draw at Casey Fields on Saturday, with the 42-42 scoreline one of the most important results in the context of the season.
Coming into the round, the Kangaroos desperately needed a win to stay in touch with the top five, while the Eagles simply needed a win to solidify their finals position.
As a result of a nail-biter with plenty of twists and turns on Saturday, there is now two points separating fourth to sixth, with Cranbourne, Doveton and ROC in a big fight for two of the finals spots on offer.
The home side got the fast start, finding 12 goals to take a two goal quarter time lead, before putting the foot down and extending their break to nine goals courtesy of an electric 15 goal quarter.
But the Kangaroos were brilliant defensively after half time, clawing back to hold the home side to just 15 goals after half time while scoring 24 themselves.
Down at Edwin Flack Reserve, Berwick broke through for its maiden win of the season, defeating Pakenham 44-32 at home in a big day for the Wickers.
After trailing by two goals at the half time break, the Wickers stormed home with a 28-14 goal second half to power to a much needed win for the inexperienced group.
Emma Clarke (22 goals) was in fine touch for the Wickers, while Jaime Cotter was one of the stars of the show with another consistent display.
For the Lions, who were coming off a sublime upset win over Narre Warren last week, struggled badly after half time despite the efforts of Kyra Esler (27 goals).
Tooradin-Dalmore, meanwhile, kept their unbeaten season going with a hard fought 53-44 win over Doveton, while Beaconsfield managed to inflict Narre Warren with another loss, 44-38.
Looking ahead to Round 14, and its crunch time for Cranbourne, Doveton and ROC, who simply need to keep winning to shape the ladder.
The Eagles face second placed Narre Warren who are coming off two successive losses and will be fired up, the Doves face a stern challenge against a quality Beaconsfield side, while ROC can make a statement when they take on Karen Meredith’s Pakenham at Toomuc Reserve in a very winnable game.
In the final match this weekend, Tooradin-Dalmore will host Berwick, with both sides on opposite ends of the SEFNL table.
