BEACONSFIELD seniors sent Tooradin tumbling out of the five with a hardfought 18point win on Saturday.
With the return of a couple of experienced players and big Kym Jones from the Scorpions, the Eagles were hoping to be close to the mark against the Seagulls and were spot on.
Weather conditions turned out to be better than forecast and the ground held up reasonably well.
In a fast opening stanza, the ball rebounded from one end of the ground to the other with Tooradin gaining the early ascendancy only to be pegged back by a determined Beaconsfield that hit the lead just before the quartertime siren.
Luke McConnell continued his good form from the previous week and Haydn Robins was in everything early on.
The pressure continued after the first break, with the Eagles again winning the quarter by a goal to take a 14point lead by half time. The midfield group was giving plenty of drive and the large crowd had plenty to cheer about.
With the game in the balance, neither side was able to gain the advantage as first the Eagles then the Gulls posted majors in the third term and both ended with four goals apiece.
A 13point buffer was all that Beaconsfield could build for the last quarter.
The Eagles came out blazing in the last quarter and built up what appeared to be a matchwinning lead, but Tooradin was not finished yet. Four majors brought it to within eight points before the home side posted late goals to seal a hardfought victory.
Scores: Beaconsfield 18.12.120 d Tooradin 15.12.102.
Goals: Luke McConnell 8, Haydn Robins 6, Adrian Jolliffe, Ryan Jolliffe, Ash Drake, Kris Fletcher 1.
Best: Haydn Robins, Kris Fletcher, Rob Taylor, Luke McConnell, Bryce Tonks.
RESERVES
Beaconsfield also had some returning players and this gave the side some muchneeded structure and confidence.
Getting a good start has been difficult for the Eagle Reserves this year, but on Saturday they jumped out of the blocks quickly and had a handy 19point lead at quarter time.
Tooradin fought back hard in the second term, but inaccuracy in front of goal allowed Beaconsfield to retain its early lead.
A seesawing third term brought three majors for the Eagles with Andrew Stent doing Tooradin considerable damage.
In reply, the Seagull found the big sticks twice.
Leading by 20 points at the final break, the Eagles finished off well with five goals to two to record a comfortable 34point win.
Scores: Beaconsfield 14.9.93 d Tooradin 7.17.59.
Goals: Andrew Stent 5, Ash Salter 3, David White 2, James Brown, Paul Rutter, Chris Sharp, Jason Cousins 1.
Best: Jason Cousins, Andrew Stent, James Brown, Paul Rutter, Ash Salter, David White.
UNDER 18
In conditions that were slippery early, the young Eagle brigade continued their unbeaten run with a comprehensive victory over the undermanned, but enthusiastic, Tooradin outfit.
It was encouraging for coach Rik Crook that the team put in for four quarters, sharing the workload with 12 individual goalkickers for the second week in a row.
Scores: Beaconsfield 23.12.150 d Tooradin 1.1.7.
Goals: Luke Kowalski, James Alexander 4, Mitchell Collins 3, Sean Alexander, Paul Van Lambaart, Jarrad Boumann 2, Brenton Goldsack, Sam Benbow, Aaron Gwozdziewski, Jesse Linkins, Rob Palazzolo, John Noonan 1.
Best: Kal Burns, Paul Van Lambaart, Sam Benbow, Sean Alexander, James Alexander, Luke Kowalski.
COLTS
Beaconsfield won by forfeit when Frankston YCW was unable to put a side on the park by the required time.
The young Eagles play top side Frankston Dolphins this week.
