After a commendable effort last week against Old Ivanhoe, Oakleigh were hopeful of a return to the winners list against arch enemies Peninsula at Mt. Eliza in Saturdays VAFA Premier C division 14th round clash. With injury and suspension forcing some line-up changes, which gave a chance for a couple of U/19 players to experience senior footy, the Oaks were still confident of a good showing and they looked good early booting the first goal but from halfway through the first term the Pirates took control of the game taking a 17 point lead into quarter time. Peninsula dictated the terms throughout the game keeping the Krushers to 2 rushed behinds in the second quarter as they extended the lead to 50 points at the long break.
Any hopes of an Oakleigh resurgence after the break were brushed aside as the Pirates ran rings around the hapless Oaks who looked flat and slow. Eventually the final siren brought Oakleigh’s misery to an end with Peninsula victorious by 94 points. Dermot Cleary kicked 2 goals for Oakleigh with Stuart Wines, Leroy Moeller and Rob Holden among the best players.
The reserves fared better in the early game with a gutsy come-from-behind win against the fourth placed Peninsula. After trailing at every change, the Krushers dug deep in the final quarter systematically erasing the 16 point deficit before levelling the scores with a minute and then surging again to goal in the dying seconds. It was a great fighting effort from a team that has struggled for most of the season and saw them get off the bottom of the ladder. The match details for the reserves were unavailable at the time of writing.
The U/19s were again forced to forfeit.
Final Scores:
Seniors: Oakleigh 6.6-42 lt Peninsula OB 20.16-136.
Goals: D.Cleary 2, A.Cloke, J.Benoiton, T.Bromley, L.Moeller 1.
Best: S.Wines, L.Moeller, R.Holden, D.Cleary, A.Mase, G.Bennett.
Reserves: Oakleigh 13.6-84 def Peninsula OB 12.6-76.
