Border Mail |
DEDERANG-Mount Beauty proved it belongs in the Tallangatta and District league’s top three with a 19-point win against Mitta United at Eskdale on Saturday.
In another solid four-quarter performance, the Bombers conquered the toughest road trip in the competition by leading from start to finish to dispel any doubts about their ability to compete with Thurgoona, Kiewa-Sandy Creek and the reigning premier.
Coach Marc Almond was thrilled with the effort.
“I know I said this the other week after the Wahgunyah game. But we still had a few lapses in that game and on Saturday we didn’t,” Almond said.
“It was the closest we have come to playing four quarters.
“Mitta is a quality side and I was really happy with how the boys went about it.”
The win consolidates Dederang-Mount Beauty’s position on top of the ladder with a blockbuster ahead against Kiewa-Sandy Creek.
Young defender Andrew Cardwell was outstanding.
The laconic Bomber refused to be beaten one-out and, along with Matt Lee who curbed James Gray, the visitors were able to hold their opponents to 11 goals.
Darren Bradshaw continued his strong recent form with six goals, Steve Bradshaw split the honours with Nick Fraser in the ruck and Elliott Powell held his own against Nathan Reynoldson.
Mitta United pegged the deficit back to less than two goals at three quarter-time through the efforts of Jarrod Gorupic, Alex Beggs and Reynoldson, but lacked the spark inside 50 metres to kick a winning score.
Thurgoona celebrated its 25th birthday in style with a 91-point hiding of Wodonga Saints at Thurgoona.
With many former players and supporters returning to the club for the clash, the Bulldogs blew their opponents away in the opening term with eight goals to one and refused to look back with big-name duo Luke Donnan and Aydan Brown dominating.
Leigh Baker, John Willis, Trent Logue and Leigh McGlynn also inflicted plenty of pain of the Saints.
Matt Jaensch was outstanding with six goals in a losing side.
Wahgunyah defeated Yackandandah by 13 goals. The experience of Terrence Jones, Adam Dodd and Guy Booker proved telling in a tense final term.
Kiewa-Sandy Creek marked Steve Jamison’s 200th game with a big win against Tallangatta, Rutherglen proved too strong for Chiltern and Barnawartha hammered Beechworth.
