Pearcedale KO’d

PEARCEDALE crashed out of the 2009 Nepean League premiership race, going down to Rye by 24 points in the elimination final on Saturday.
The Panthers were under pressure from the first bounce with former Richmond ruckman, now Demon, Greg Stafford controlling the air and creating a potent forward double act with veteran spearhead Stephen Ryan.
The pair finished the day with seven of the Demons’ 13 goals.
The Pearcedale forwards were unable to break free of Rye’s smothering tactics in defence, although Gary Carpenter, Shane Urbans and Chris O’Dell kept the Panthers within striking distance with superb games. In Sunday’s qualifying final, Frankston downed Dromana by three points to earn a crack at minor premiers Sorrento in next weekend’s second semi-final.
In Peninsula League, it was a case of ‘catch us if you can’ for top side Seaford after the Tigers thumped second-placed Mt Eliza by 125 points in the final home-and-away round.
Spearhead Michael Kraska booted five goals in the drubbing that sealed the minor premiership and assured the Tigers of premiership favouritism.
Third-placed Frankston YCW will take on Mt Eliza in the qualifying final after downing Mornington by 73 points, while the elimination final will be a replay of the match between Bonbeach and Edithvale-Aspendale – won by the Sharks on the weekend.
In the other games Chelsea defeated Karingal by six points and Langwarrin downed Pines by 29 points.