Unlucky Tyabb misses kick after the siren as Pearcedale holds on in Nepean league thriller

TYABB had a kick after the siren to claim its first win in 40 games, but it narrowly missed.

So close: Tyabb footy coach Mark Paganoni was disappointed but positive after his side’s two-point loss to Pearcedale on Saturday.

TYABB had a kick after the siren to claim its first win in 40 games, but it narrowly missed on Saturday.

Tim McGrath’s pressure shot from 40m sailed through for a behind, allowing Pearcedale to escape with a two-point victory, 12.12 (84) to 11.16 (82).

It was yet more heartbreak for the Yabbies, whose last win was in August, 2013.

“I’ve been awake half the night,’’ Tyabb coach Mark Paganoni said on Sunday.

“But a really good effort.’’

Tyabb had its chances. Coming home with the wind in the last quarter, the Yabbies kicked 1.6. Paganoni said his men “stopped believing a bit’’.

“It was always the worry, how they were actually going to get across the line. But it shouldn’t be. There are 16 blokes in that side that didn’t play there last year.’’

Pearcedale coach Jamie Merchan said Tyabb deserved to win and the Dales were fortunate.

“I actually thought Tyabb were better than us,’’ he said. “They were harder at the footy, their intensity was far superior and I thought they used the ball quite well.’’

Tyabb coach Mark Paganoni.

Troy Jacobson, Ben Mitchell and Travis Bravo were named Pearcedale’s best players, while Tyson Sparkes and Jake Anderson (five goals) were gallant for the Yabbies.

Red Hill coach Tony Blackford poured praised on his team after it stunned ladder leaders Somerville by 31 points.

Whole-hearted defender Nick Walsh was named best-on-ground after holding Somerville spearhead Tom Shaw goalless in the 12.13 (85) to 8.6 (54) win.

Hillmen forward Harry Larwill kicked three goals after a duel with Scott Simpson and Daniel McNamara was superb dashing out of defence.

Red Hill set up victory by kicking three goals to Somie’s one into a strong breeze in the third quarter.

“We were terrific. We played a really good brand of footy, everyone played their role and we were able to starve them (of goals) – they only kicked eight goals,’’ Blackford said. “It was nothing in-house that we didn’t expect. If you are not 100 per cent on in this competition, you will get beaten and that’s what happened yesterday. They were probably off 10, 20 per cent, and we were on.’’

Red Hill (4-1) is underrated and continues to fly under the radar.

“That’s how we like it,’’ Blackford said.

Luke Tapscott booted five goals for Sorrento on Saturday. Picture: Derrick den Hollander

Former Melbourne Demon Luke Tapscott capped a best-on-ground display with five goals to help the sleeping giant of the competition, Sorrento, thump local rivals Rye by 58 points. Nick Marston and Chad Harris also chimed in with three goals apiece as the Sharks won 21.16 (142) to 13.6 (84).

Frankston Bombers continued their emergence with a 21-point victory at Dromana. Former Dolphins Dale Sutton, Sam Fox and James Degenhardt were named best for the Tigers, while Zach Longham slotted four goals (and has 17 for the season).

Rosebud turned a 10-point halftime deficit into a 17-point win over Devon Meadows at Glover Reserve. Ben Dwyer, Keegan Downie (three goals), Nick Boswell and Sean Downie ignited the Buds.

Hastings climbed to top spot after dispatching Crib Point by 49 points. Nathan Gray, with three goals, Peter Mawson, Shaun Foster and Paul Rogasch were influential for the Blues. For Crib Point, coach Taylor Stratton and his brother Kain both suffered hamstring injuries.