by Stephanie Kirkman
Eastern Ranges have finally put an end to their five-game losing streak, after an impressive 61-point victory over the Dandenong Stingrays this weekend.
With a much stronger and experienced line-up, the Ranges welcomed back five of its Vic Metro players into the squad this weekend.
It was a closely contested game throughout the match between the two sides up until later in the second half of the match.
The Stingrays kept right up the Ranges alleyway on the scoreboard, with only a nine-point deficit at the end of the first term.
The Ranges managed to break away by three goals at the end of the main break, after some fantastic footwork by the Ranges midfielders.
Despite the comfortable lead at the end of half time, the Ranges weren’t going to stop quite yet.
It wasn’t until the last quarter when the Ranges broke away to kick eight goals compared to the Stingray’s one before the final siren.
Firing in the second to kick an impressive 13 goals proved that the Ranges were still a huge threat and contender for the finals in September.
The loss proved to be a huge upset for the Dandenong Stingrays, who have made a strong presence in the TAC Cup this season, currently sitting in second place.
Ranges coach Shane Watson was pleased with the boys after the match.
“The results were definitely more pleasing than previous weeks, we had a strong performance and moved the ball around effectively all day,” Watson said.
“I think the home ground advantage also helped out a bit, especially for the younger boys who are more familiar with home territory compared to other grounds,” he said.
Ranges Luke McDonald shone through in the forward line booting through an impressive seven goals, while teammate Kieran Harper also had a commendable game up forward kicking three goals.
Best on ground today was Matthew Scott, who left little margin for error after a solid performance throughout the field.
It was a high possession ball game today at Box Hill Oval, with Dave Mirra having a fantastic game in the centre racking up 31 possessions, and Ranges Ryan Wilson collecting 26 possessions.
Despite the 10 goal victory today, the Ranges still sit in seventh place on the ladder, only one win away from fourth place, Gold Coast and fifth place, Murray Bushrangers.
Next week (Round 12) the Ranges have a tough match up against the North Ballarat Rebels at Learmonth Oval on Saturday at 2.00pm.
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SCORES
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TEAMS
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TIME/VENUE
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22.10-142
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Eastern Ranges
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2:00 PM
Sat 20/Jun Box Hill City Oval
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def.
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12.9-81
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Dandenong Stingrays
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Goal Kickers: L. McDonald 7, K. Harper 3, K. Post 2, A. Johns 2, A. Young 2, G. Phelps, R. Wilson, R. Minahan, S. Thomas, B. Harvey, A. Calder
Best Players: M. Scott, L. McDonald, J. Kinder, D. Mirra, R. Wilson, K. Harper
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Last Modified on 30/06/2009 13:26
