MPNFL: Bonbeach keep finals hopes alive with stirring win over Sorrento

BONBEACH coach Steve Hughes described his side’s upset eight-point win over ladder leader Sorrento on Saturday as “one of the most pleasing wins you could have’’.

Frankston YCW's Ben Wagner slides with Frankston Bombers player Jason Kingsbury in pursuit. Picture: Rab Siddhi

BONBEACH coach Steve Hughes described his side’s upset eight-point win over ladder leader Sorrento on Saturday as “one of the most pleasing wins you could have’’.

In the battle of the Sharks at McFarlan Reserve, Bonny prevailed 6.11 (47) to 4.15 (39) to keep their finals hopes alive in MPNFL Division 1.

And they did it without several key players after Jackson Sole and James Murnane were injured during the week and Lachlan Gill-Renouf was called up by the Dolphins.

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“To go down to Sorrento with an undermanned group against pretty much a full-strength side and roll them … all credit to the boys,’’ Hughes said.

Sorrento had the better of the opening quarter but was wasteful, scoring 2.10 to Bonbeach’s 2.0.

Bonny worked their way to the front by halftime and held on as both sides managed only one goal apiece in the second half.

Gav Vassallo was superb for Bonbeach, tagging Sorrento coach Luke Tapscott, while Gary Carpenter, Owen Hulett, Sheldon Price, Mitch Gent and Beau Bailey did well. On debut, Bonbeach defender Jarrah Douglas kept Sorrento’s Leigh Poholke goalless.

Gary Carpenter bursts through a tackle for Bonbeach. Picture: Chris Eastman.

“To sum it up, we just really cracked in all day, we played really good, tough footy,’’ Hughes said.

Bonbeach has beaten Frankston YCW and Sorrento in the past two rounds to move within a game of the five, sitting in seventh spot.

Frankston YCW’s season spiralled further out of control after losing to Frankston Bombers by six points in the mud at Greg Beck Oval.

The Stonecats have gone six games without a win, slipping to sixth spot and in real danger of missing finals.

Frankston Bombers accounted for Frankston YCW on Saturday. Picture: Chris Eastman.

In a desperate last quarter, the Bombers clung on to deny YCW, which had the breeze. Only two goals were scored after halftime, the Bombers prevailing 5.11 (41) to 5.5 (35). Bombers goer Matt Harris kicked two goals, while Jason Kingsbury, Dale Sutton, Jason Bedford and Zac Longham also played starring roles.

For YCW, big Macklin Raine tried hard along with Byron Barry and Ben Wagner, who looked to have a hamstring injury at the end.

“With it being so low scoring it was pretty critical that when you got your chances on goal you take them,’’ Bombers coach Beau Muston said.

Pines moved back to fifth spot after beating Rosebud 11.12 (78) to 3.8 (26). Beau Hendry was brilliant in the ruck for the Pythons, while Nick Boswell, Lachlan Marshall and Ben Thomas also did well. Aaron Edwards kicked four goals to also play a key role. “We got off to a good start, that was the main thing with the conditions,’’ Pines coach Paddy Swayn said.

“We kicked four goals into the breeze and that set us up.’’

Edithvale-Aspendale moved to equal top spot on points after a dogged 8.20 (68) to 5.6 (36) win over bottom side Seaford.

“We tip our hat to Seaford, they really put us to the test and worked us over and defended well and made us earn every kick, possession,’’ Edi-Asp coach Graeme Yeats said.

Former Noble Park captain Sam Monaghan was outstanding for the Eagles, while Michael Bussey (two goals) continued his splendid season and Brett O’Hanlon and Brad Tagg did well.

“The competition is very even and wide open for a team that can get on a run at the right time,’’ Yeats said.

On Sunday, Mornington upset Mt Eliza by a point, 7.9 (51) to 7.8 (50) at Madsen Reserve. Kalen Bird, Jackson Calder (three goals), Broden Bird and Warwick Miller were superb for the Bulldogs, who maintained a slender lead throughout.