EFL 2018: Ringwood chalks up its 15th win of the year after a come-from-behind victory over Scoresby

RINGWOOD remains the only undefeated team in the Eastern Football League this year after a come-from-behind victory over Scoresby.

Ringwood forward Daniel Jordanov celebrates a goal. Picture: James Ross/AAP

RINGWOOD has made a habit of bullying opponents in its undefeated Eastern Football League Division 3 season.

Five of the Redbacks’ 15 wins have been by more than 10 goals as they march towards a fourth consecutive finals appearance.

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But Saturday’s victory over Scoresby in the top of the table clash was of the hard-fought variety, kicking the last five goals of the game to secure a 12.9 (81) to 9.12 (66) win to move another step closer to sewing up the minor premiership.

Ringwood trailed by 15 points at the final change but with the advantage of the wind in the final quarter, produced a 30-point turnaround in the last 30 minutes to remain unbeaten in 2018.

Scoresby veterans Marc Williams and Matt Krawczyk celebrate a goal. Picture: James Ross/AAP

Scoresby managed just one behind in the last term as the Redbacks finished full of running, only hitting the front for the second time in the game with just 10 minutes remaining.

Ringwood coach Brett Rowe said the contest was the biggest challenge his side had faced this year as the Magpies looked to prove their flag credentials.

“Scoresby were going really well, they were obviously a form side sitting second and they’re there for a reason, you could see if they got the game going the way they wanted they are very dangerous because they’ve got a bit of firepower up forward,” Rowe said.

“It was our mantra all game to be harder for longer because we knew when we played them last time that we were able to break the game open just because we were constantly at it and our pressure and our fitness would probably take a toll.”

Just four goals were kicked into the wind for the game, with Scoresby leading by as much as 20 points early in the second quarter.

By halftime Ringwood had a five-point buffer only to trail by 15 points at three-quarter time.

After a string of stoppages in the Redbacks’ forward 50 to start the final term, Mitch Jackson snapped from the congestion for the first goal at the 10-minute mark.

It appeared to deflate Scoresby’s morale as majors from Mitch Jacobs, Daniel Jordanov and Harry George soon followed to end the home side’s resistance.

Ringwood ruckman Ben Power gets a kick away. Picture: James Ross/AAP

Defenders Scott Laing, Kelvin Greig and Tim Waack were given the tasks of minding Nathan Hicks, Marc Williams and Dale Hehir, keeping Scoresby to its fourth lowest score of the year.

Ringwood captain Trent Farmer also didn’t play after missing through an infected bursitis in his elbow, while assistant coach Kyle Matthews missed with fluid on his knee.

Its hoped Jayden Cairns and Daniel Collier will return for the first week of finals as they recover from broken hands.

Mitch Brereton also played his second game in the reserves after returning from a serious concussion suffered in Round 8.