The Eagles resist an upset

Doveton's Hayley Stewart gets ready to pass. 196222 Pictures: ROB CAREW

By Romy Stephens

OUTER EAST NETBALL

REVIEW – ROUND 14

PREMIER

Apart from Olinda Ferny Creek, Beaconsfield has been one of the dominant teams in the Premier Division this season. But the Eagles showed some signs of weakness over the weekend, having just got over the line against the second-last placed Upwey Tecoma, 34-30 on Saturday afternoon.

It appeared the game was going to go as expected early on, with the Eagles taking a 10-goal lead into half-time. But a second-half turnaround from the Tigers saw them claw themselves back and almost topple the side that has lost fewer games than the Tigers have won this season.

Despite reducing the margin to only four goals in the final quarter, the first-half deficit proved too much to overcome and the Tigers were unable to steal the upset win.

The Eagles will need to immediately put their slight drop-off in form behind them as they look ahead to the Round 15 top-of-the-table clash against Olinda Ferny Creek next week.

In a hugely important win for the club, Narre Warren all but sealed its place in finals as it overcame Wandin, 40-37 at Wandin Football Ground on Saturday.

There was nothing separating the two sides for most of the game, with scores level heading into the main break. But the Magpies slowly edged themselves ahead throughout the second-half and once in front, managed to withstand the Bulldogs for the rest of the game.

The win sees the Magpies in a comfortable fifth-place position, three games clear of Wandin, with only four weeks left before finals.

In other Round 14 games, Cranbourne dealt Healesville it’s 13 loss for the season with a 59-14 thrashing at Casey Fields. Meanwhile, Woori Yallock retained fourth position on the ladder with a convincing 54-37 win over Berwick.

DIVISION 1

The second-half of Round 13 action didn’t fail to disappoint with another two close games proving just how close the competition is this season. The weekend’s results mean all games across the round were decided by five goals or less.

All eyes were on the top-of-the-table clash as ROC hit the road to take on Mount Evelyn and despite the Kangaroos sealing the win, the Rovers didn’t go down without a fight.

The tight 28-24 result was a tough battle all day, but it was the Kangaroos who kept the foot on the pedal from start to finish. A two-goal lead for the away side at half-time was soon extended out to four-goals by the final siren. Despite the loss, the Rovers will take plenty out of their impressive performance proving that they are not far off the competition leaders.

In the final game for the round, Emerald secured its first win of the season with a hard-fought 36-31 win over Doveton at home on Saturday.

The Bombers extended their one-goal lead at quarter time to six goals at the main break and kept the foot on the pedal throughout the rest of the game.

Brilliant performances from the likes of Matilda Preston (10 goals), Madison Miller and defender Hayley Scott were hugely influential in the win.

The unexpected loss for the Doves may prove costly in their bid to reach finals. They sit just outside of the top five by a mere 12.56 per cent.