by Stephanie Kirkman
Eastern Ranges had their first loss to the year, after the Dandenong boys broke their four-game winning streak for the season, defeating the Ranges with a 40-point victory at Shepley Oval.
The Ranges had an impressive first quarter, working the smaller ground to their advantage and booting three goals for the first term.
However, some missed opportunities proved costly further into the match, with the Ranges converting 11 of 27 scoring opportunities throughout the match.
Dandenong had a slow start to the game, with seven missed opportunities at the end of the first term, but fired back up well into the second, to take the lead with a three goal advantage at the end of the main break.
It was a closely contested game for the first half, but the stamina and endurance just didn't seem to be in the Ranges favour this weekend, with their game play slowing further into the match.
After the game, coach Shane Watson said that a lot needed to be improved on for following weeks.
"We didn't have a very solid game today, and I noticed that the boys ran out of legs later into the second half," he said.
"There is still room for a lot of improvement, and we will be highlighting and focusing on these things at training during the week."
Luke McDonald continued his solid form up front, kicking three goals for the Ranges, while team mate Jayden Cass, also booted through three for the boys.
Midfielder, Joshua Dyson was best on ground today, with 24 possessions, while Ayden Kennedy had a strong game, racking up 18 possessions for the day.
The loss sees the Ranges sink down to fifth place, just under the Stingrays by a mere percentage.
The boys need a strong win next week, in order to regain third sport from the Calder Cannons.
Next week (Round 7) the Ranges take on the North Ballarat Rebels at home, on Saturday 16th May, at 2:00pm.
Final Scores:
Goal Kickers: L. McDonald 3, J. Cass 3, A. Kennedy, A. Johns, J. Van Gulik, A. Ellis, B. Wilson
Best Players: J. Dyson, L. McDonald, R. Minahan, A. Kennedy, R. Wilson, D. Mirra
Last Modified on 17/05/2009 13:53