The Dandenong Southern Stingrays had to tough it out in very wet, cold and windy conditions to eventually prevail by 1 point against a worthy opponent, the Oakleigh Chargers in Round 20 of the TAC Cup and will hold on to a top 4 spot and the double chance in the finals.
The Chargers were never going to be a push over with 2 wins and a draw against TAC Cup finalists in the past three outings. It was the Stingrays kicking into a strong wind on a sodden Oakleigh ground who had most of the early play but failed to put a space on the scoreboard. Goals to Riley heddles, Tom Scully and Levi Casboult were almost matched by tow cheap goals to the Chargers as they made more of their forays forward than the Stingrays. The quarter time score of an 8 point lead to the Stingrays would prove telling in the end.
The second term was very high class even in the conditions as both teams attacked and counter attacked. Dylan Roberton was once again in good form across half back and youngster Nathan Allen was clean and well balanced on his Wing. The three goals by the Stingrays to Myles Pitt, Ryan Bastinac and Adam Treloar were all outstanding individual efforts and kept the Stingrays up by 7 points at the long break.
The second half was more of the same with both teams belting in without fear or regard for personal safety. Ryan Bastinac, Madison Andrews, Riley heddles and Tom Scully were all working at a very high level and showed the leadership you would expect of such an experienced quartet. Despite having their fair share of the ball, the Stingrays could not add to their goal tally and at ¾ time trailed by a solitary goal but with the aid of the wind in the last term. It took until the 14 minute mark of the term before the Stingrays could score with a clever snap from Adam Treloar leveling the scores. Another goal 7 minutes later to Mitch Hallahan from a passage of good play skipped the lead out to 7 points and the win a bit closer. The Chargers managed a goal right on siren time which had the Stingrays with their noses in front by the smallest of margins.
Stingrays coach Graeme Yeats was pleased with the toughness and character displayed by his players who put their body on the line when the hard balls had to be won. A bit of work on forward line efficiency should set the Stingrays up for a run at the finals. Next weekend is the first of the TAC Cup finals with double headers on Saturday and Sunday at Visy Park, Carlton.
Last Modified on 31/08/2009 09:22