By RHYS WOOSNAM - Division 3 Reserves
WITH the pointy end of the table getting tighter with every round, Newport and Wyndham faced off in a clash that would be vital in each team’s premiership hopes.
The Power entered Round 9 precariously placed in fourth spot ahead of Sanctuary Lakes.
They needed a win over the Suns in order to keep in touch with the dominant top three.
For three quarters they looked set to notch up an important victory until Wyndham came storming home to clinch the game by 10-points.
Controlling the contest for the majority, Newport held a comfortable 29-point lead at the half and looked in tremendous form.
Even with a small fightback by Wyndham in the third, the Power still had the ascendancy to the tune of 18-points at the final change.
In the last stanza, Wyndham went into overdrive, kicking four goals and five behinds to a solitary point.
It was the kind of balanced display that champion teams produce when the chips are down.
One of their main contributors on the day was exciting forward Lennon Doherty, who booted four goals and provided a consistent attacking option.
The result improves Wyndham’s record to seven wins and one loss, but it spells trouble for Newport who now fall back in the hunt for finals.
Elsewhere, Sanctuary Lakes leapfrogged the Power with a 34-point win against Sunshine Heights.
They were never truly challenged throughout the day and lead at every break.
It was an even performance as they registered 10 individual goal kickers and had brilliant efforts from the whole squad.
Their victory sees Sanctuary Lakes jump into fourth spot, a game ahead of Newport and two behind the ladder leaders in Parkside.
After the general bye, they have another very winnable game against Laverton who currently sit in seventh position.
If they can continue to play consistent football and knock over the opposition below them, it sets up a top four berth come finals time.
Sunshine Heights unfortunately sit in the same logjam that Newport find themselves in, but they will be fired up to take on their suburban rivals North Sunshine in what is sure to be an impassioned encounter.
North Sunshine will be looking to bounce back from a demolition at the hands of premiership favourites Parkside.
They were no match for the ladder leaders who thumped North Sunshine by 169-points.
The star of the day was David Orchard who launched himself up the goal kicking table with seven majors. He is now in fourth spot, only seven goals behind Tarneit’s Samuel Ingham.
Finally, the cellar-dwellers Braybrook had possibly their darkest day so far in 2016, failing to register a score in their loss to Tarneit.
The Bombers were soundly trounced 199 to zero. They now have a record of nine straight losses to start the season and do not look like improving anytime soon.
Last Modified on 07/06/2016 09:27