Tara Murray
Melton Centrals were able to hold off a fast finishing Lancefield to get its second win of the Riddell District Football League.
It was a tale to two halves at Lancefield Park, with the Centrals controlling the first half before the Tigers fighting back late.
Centrals though did enough to come away with the 15.5 (95)-11.15 (81) win.
Centrals coach Mark Pederson said it was good to get the win, but there was still a lot of room for improvement.
“The first half was really good and the second half was pretty ordinary,” he said.
“We lost our method in the second half and it’s something that we will have to work on. I’m happy to get the win though.”
Pederson said the big difference in the second half was the mental side of the game, saying it seemed like the group had thought the game was over.
He said playing four consistent quarters was part of the learning process.
Sam Apineru kicked five goals in the win.
Pederson said skipper Jarrod Spry had a really good game, as did Apineru, Dylan Clarke, Kyle Rodgers and Ariek Lual.
The win has Centrals sitting in seventh spot. They are two games outside the top five.
Pederson, in his first season at the club, said the first part of the season had been a little bit disappointing.
“The Romsey game got away from us,” he said. “We could have won that game and should have won against Woodend and Macedon.
“They are the games that really hurt us. It’s going to be an uphill battle to play finals.
Pederson said they always thought they would improve as the season went along with a new group.
He said if they don’t make finals, it will be about getting themselves in a good spot for next season.
The side this week faces Riddell. Pederson won’t be on the track during the week due to work travel.
He said the Bombers would be another test
“If we play the way we played in the first half, we will be really competitive.
Meanwhile, Diggers Rest issued a statement with one of its best performances in recent years.
In the top of the table clash with Wallan, the Burras played a consistent four quarter game on the way to the 15.9 (99)-8.11 (59) win.
The Burras set the tone early and were able to build throughout the match, despite missing seven senior team players.
Coach Jamie Lobb said this was now a reference point for the group going forward.
The Western Rams lost to Macedon at Tony Clarke Reserve.
It was a solid start for the Rams, who trailed by 11 points at the first break. The Cats blew the game open in the second quarter with 10 goals.
The second half was all the Cats, with the Rams kept scoreless. The Cats winning 20.10 (130)-3.3 (21).
Romsey was the other winner, beating Woodend-Hesket.
