Bonbeach turns tables on Edi-Asp to climb into the Peninsula league top five

BONBEACH has won four of its past five games to climb into the Peninsula league top five.

Bonbeach forward Luke “Damage’’ Damon celebrates a goal in the Sharks’ win over Edi-Asp. Picture: Chris Eastman

BONBEACH on Saturday continued its resurgence in Peninsula league, beating Edi-Asp by 24 points to climb into the top five.

After dropping their opening four games, the Sharks have won four of their past five outings to put their finals quest back on track.

Their win on Saturday mirrored their season.

Edi-Asp spearhead Mick Meehan kicked the first three goals of the game before Bonny bounced back, finishing hard to win 13.9 (87) to 9.9 (63).

“Eight minutes in and we trailed three goals to zip,’’ Bonbeach coach Steve Hughes said.

“We changed a few things around…and started to win a bit more contested ball. In the end I think we had 16 or 17 more inside fifties on the day

“So, probably after the 10 or 15 minute mark of the first quarter we probably outplayed them. It was pleasing.’’

Bonbeach’s Beau Bailey on the burst. Picture: Chris Eastman

Bonbeach’s rousing win, though, was soured by a serious injury to popular ruckman Nick Alexandrou, who suffered a dislocated and fractured elbow after landing awkwardly. He underwent surgery on Sunday.

Bonbeach defender Matty Douglas went on to Meehan after his fast start, and did a good job. Meehan finished with five majors.

Bonny’s other prime movers were Mark Tyrell, Gary Carpenter, Dylan Jones and young Justin Bennett.

Hughes praised Bennett’s efforts across half back. “He gave us some real good run across half back, laid a large number of tackles and used the ball well. Really pleased with him,’’ he said.

Bonbeach is now 4-5. “There’s a log jam from four to eight. It’s going to be on for young an old in the last half of the season, everyone wants to win every game,’’ Hughes said.

Bonbeach coach Steve Hughes works the huddle. Picture: Chris Eastman

In Nepean league, a sizzling debut by 17-year-old Luke Davies-Uniacke helped Rye to its first win at Sorrento in 11 years on Saturday.

Davies-Uniacke, a Stingrays-listed lad with a bright future, capped a best-on-ground display with three goals as the Demons won by 10 points in the local derby.

After trailing by 14 points at halftime, Rye drilled five goals to one in the third quarter to set up the 9.14 (68) to 8.10 (58) victory.

Davies-Uniacke had tongues wagging with a dynamic display up forward; he looked dangerous throughout with his pace and skill.

“He’s a Rye boy through and through and really wanted to make his senior debut with Rye...and he absolutely blitzed them,’’ Rye coach Josh Moore said.

“Mate, he’s something special. Everyone at the ground saw that.

“People were coming up to me after the game and saying, ‘who’s this Luke kid? He can play’.’’

Before the game, Moore challenged his players to end a long winning drought at the Sorrento ground.

Rye’s last win at David McFarlane Reserve was almost 11 years ago - in Round 13, 2005.

“I used that…I told them we could write a bit of history, and we did,’’ he said. “It was one of those memorable wins.’’

Edi-Asp’s Andrew Luxa tries to break through a tackle against Bonbeach. Picture: Chris Eastman

Rye was looking wobbly last month but has turned its season around by beating flag contenders Hastings and Sorrento in the past two rounds to climb to sixth spot, a game out of the top five.

One week at a time. Moore knows it’s a bad footy cliche, but that’s how his Demons must approach the rest of the season as they build towards finals.

“If we start looking too far ahead we won’t have any sort of chance,’’ he said.

Rye had strong contributors all over the ground. Davies-Uniacke, Nick Baron, Nathan Henley, Jimmy Jennings and Ryan Mullett were among them.

For Sorrento, third, James Brigden, Ryan Potter and Tyrren Head impressed.

On Sunday, Red Hill snapped a two-game losing streak when it came from behind to beat Dromana by five points.

Jake Mitchell and Sean Marchetti were outstanding as the Hillmen overcame a four-goal quarter-time deficit to win 15.8 (98) to 14.9 (93) and leave themselves just outside the top five. Jake Mold slotted three goals for Red Hill while, for Dromana, Billy Quigley and Christian Ongarello were named best.