BEACONSFIELD first division Superules side finished the season on a high note with a hardfought fivepoint win against Footscray an the weekend to finish on top of the ladder.
Beaconsfield turned on an impressive display of football to hold on and beat Footscray in the dying minutes of the game.
Despite going into the game without dominant midfielders in Sloan and McKenna and solid defender in Hotham, Beaconsfield jumped out of the blocks and posted the first goal of the game through Ward.
McGavigan, in the ruck, was in good form and giving Beaconsfield first use of the ball at centre bounces and around the ground.
At the eightminute mark, Dunne converted for Beaconsfield’s second, but moments later Footscray opened its account.
Mickelburough, who had just returned from injury, strained his hamstring halfway through the term and played no further part in the game.
At quarter time Beaconsfield held a onegoal lead.
At the start of the second term Footscray kicked a goal to level the scores, but from then on it was all Beaconsfield with Sutherland posting three goals for the term, while Treasure chipped in for another.
Studham, at centre halfback, was playing a solid game, while Sheedy was dominating off halfback and changing in the midfield.
At the main break Beaconsfield 6.7.43 led Footscray 3.5.23.
Footscray kicked the first goal of the third term to reduce the margin to two goals.
For the remainder of the quarter, both sides tried desperately, but with both backlines standing up to the pressure, goals were hard to come by.
It took until the 16minute mark of the term for Beaconsfield to score through Granieri. Footscray not to be outdone quickly replied to go into the last term two goals behind.
The stage was set for a big last quarter and the crowd was not disappointed.
Both sides put in a great display of attacking and defending football.
The Beaconsfield backline was put under enormous pressure, but had the answers as the midfield dropped back to lend assistance.
At the 13minute mark Footscray got through the Beaconsfield defence and kicked a goal to reduce the margin to less than six points.
The following seven minutes was a grind for both sides.
Conduit may well have saved the game for Beaconsfield when he put his body on the line and took a heavy knock to stop Footscray from running free on the wing.
Experienced player Dunne also did the ‘onepercenters’ and defended well during this period.
Scores: Beaconsfield 7.10.52 d Footscray 6.11.47.
Goals: Sutherland 3, Ward, Dunne, Granieri and Treasure 1.
Best: G. Sheedy, M. Granieri, D. Ward, C. Studham.
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