Border Mail |
DEFENDING premier Mitta United staged a brilliant comeback to run over Kiewa-Sandy Creek by nine points in their Tallangatta and District league tussle at Tangambalanga on Saturday.
Trailing by almost four goals at the final change, the Blues kicked six goals to one in the final term to clinch the points and, more importantly, almost guarantee themselves a spot in the finals.
But coach Clinton Gilson said his team still had plenty of work to do in the final five rounds of the season.
“It’s a huge win for us, but we aren’t there yet,” Gilson said.
“We hung in there and, even though we were down at three-quarter-time, I still thought we could win especially with Kiewa-Sandy Creek being down to one man on the bench.
“Hopefully the last quarter is the spur we needed to get going.
“It was important we bounced back from last week and got back on the winning list because it’s still fight and you can’t afford to slip up too many times.”
Kiewa-Sandy Creek, who went into the clash without a handful of top-liners including Guy and Adam Telford, Clint Whitsed, Tori Ziems and Jack Andrew, could consider themselves unlucky after coach Ryan Richardson strained a hamstring in the warm-up and was replaced by Mark Hortle who had his own injury problems.
Wylie Jackson then went down early and took no further part in the match.
The Hawks were brave throughout with Leigh Cameron outstanding with five goals, while Marc Lewis, Jason Bartel and Malcolm Vogel also turned in solid performances.
But the workload eventually took its toll with captain Alex Beggs leading the fightback with support from Nick Bowles, Nick Fraser and David Hansford.
In other matches, Barnawartha saw off a late surge from Tallangatta to win by eight points.
Leading by 35 points at three-quarter-time, the Tigers looked home before the improving Tallangatta finished with a flurry thanks to fine efforts from Aaron Downie, Duncan McMaster and Jacob Wood.
Tiger midfielder Cameron McNeill was best for his team.
Meanwhile, Rutherglen crushed Beechworth by 123 points.
With Barton medal chance Lindsay Seymour on fire, the Cats picked up some handy percentage as they consolidated their grip on third spot on the ladder.
Jakeb Meyer and Ian Kay also stood out for the victors.
