BEACONSFIELD Superules’ season in third division came to a halt in last weekend’s elimination final against the undefeated Western Devils at Albert Park. It was Beaconsfield’s first final in the division.
Beaconsfield lost the allimportant toss, was forced to kick into a four or fivegoal wind andcontinually struggled to get the ball into the forward line.The Devils were reading the wind and flight of the ball better than Beaconsfield and using the wind put pressure on Beaconsfield’s backmen, enabling them to kick four goals for the term. Col Ross was at full back on the league’s leading goal scorer.
Beaconsfield aimed to level scores by halftime, but the Devils posted two quick goals to jump away to a handy sixgoal advantage. After the initial onslaught Beaconsfield started to move the ball forward more freely and finally at the 12minute mark of the second term Bussacca snapped Beaconsfield’s first goal.At the next centre bounce Cameron got the ball forward and Flight in the square took one of his usual strong marks for Beaconsfield’s second goal. When the Devils kicked out of bounds on the full and coach Valentine converted with a great shot from 35 metres out.
At halftime Valentine gave orders to play on at all costs, run the ball into the breeze and take risks. The Devils posted three goals in five minutes, putting the game beyond reach of Beaconsfield. Late in the term Beaconsfield managed to get the ball to centre halfforward, Van Den Berghe laying agood tackle for a free and then playing on for easy goal.
In the last term Flight wasmoved to the centre to give Beaconsfield strength around the middle, Ross moved to centre halfforward and Mitchell to the forward pocket to bring fresh legs forward. Mitchell goaled within the first two minutes and Ross converted Beaconsfield’s second for the term. A few minutes later Mitchell ran on to a loose ball for Beaconsfield’s third for the term. Beaconsfield outscored the Devils in the last quarter but the West had the game wrapped up, running out winners by six goals.
Scores: Western Devils 14.10.94 d Beaconsfield 8.8.56.
Goals: Mitchell, Bussacca 2, Flight, Valentine, Van Den Berghe, Ross, Gubbins 1.
Best: G. Turner, P. Lowe, G. Valentine, N. Bussacca,B. Flight, J. Mitchell.
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