Border Mail |
DEDERANG-Mount Beauty put itself in the box seat to clinch top position on the Tallangatta and District league ladder with a stirring 15-point win against Kiewa-Sandy Creek at Tangambalanga on Saturday.
The Bombers followed up recent impressive performances against Wahgunyah and Mitta United by leading their opponents at every change to move six points clear.
Coach Marc Almond was delighted with the way his team answered every challenge.
“It was a really good effort to hold on because they came back at us hard like we expected,” Almond said.
“Kiewa got within seven points halfway through the last quarter, but we have been working on producing consistent efforts at training and I think it paid off.
“It’s a bit of a surprise to be on top of the ladder, but footy can change fairly quickly and we just have to keep turning up to play each weekend.
“When we play as a team we are a good footy side, but when we don’t we are ordinary.”
One player who isn’t ordinary is youngster Elliott Powell.
Powell, who went head-to-head with Mitta United star Nathan Reynoldson last weekend, turned in a best afield performance with his appetite for the contest drawing praise from his coach.
“He’s a special player. I thought he was great again against some really good opposition,” Almond said.
Daniel Bradshaw also impressed for the victors with seven majors, including three in the final stanza when Kiewa-Sandy Creek were rallying a comeback.
Andy Hill, Dale Lappin and Beau Packer also impressed for the winners.
Kiewa-Sandy Creek looked ominous early when Ryan Wallace, Jason Bartel and Travis Knight were up and about but the Hawks were unable to keep up the pressure.
Guy Telford kicked five goals with the honours split in his battle with Matt Lee.
Chiltern produced a big final quarter to defeat Wodonga Saints by 19 points.
Trailing by 32 points at the last change, the Swans finished with nine goals to one with coach Kirk Wilson leading the way with a best afield performance.
Jaise Coleman and Cameron Cassidy were also instrumental in the fight-back.
Wodonga Saints had good contributors in Jayden Holt and Craig Lieschke, but much of their good work was undone when the home team fell apart late.
Wahgunyah defeated Beechworth by 40 points.
