Two Blues Final Setback

Seniors:

Prahran Assumption's finals aspirations suffered a severe setback with a second season loss to Yarra Valley at Toorak Park on Saturday.

Yarra Valley is seventh on the ladder and an unlikely finalist but they delight in testing the Two Blues and thoroughly deserved the seven point win.

Granted the Two Blues were missing some key players but also missing was the intensity and discipline Yarra Valley displayed in contrast to the home team.

The first home loss for the season may prove costly and  little wonder coach Ash Mills described the game as his most disappointing in his three season at the helm.

While the Two Blues remain in the four because Old Geelong succumbed to Williamstown CYMS, the twin losses to Yarra Valley will not happen to other would-be finalists.

On a windy day it was always going to be a game of mistakes.

Two goals courtesy of Adam Sleight kicking into a four-to-five goals northerly breeze was an encouraging start for the Two Blues and the quarter-time deficit of 15 points was manageable.

By half-time the Two Blues advantage was 13 points after holding Yarra Valley scoreless, handy but hardly match winning.

The third quarter proved a turning point as Yarra Valley added 5-1 while the Two Blues were goalless until deep in time-on when inspirational acting captain James Musster goaled.

The final quarter proved frustrating for Two Blues fans.

Despite dominating inside 50s, the scoreline was 2-7, not enough when the visitors added two goals into the breeze.

Sleight, who kicked three goals, had the chance to give the Two Blues the lead when he marked 30m out directly in front at the 24 minute mark. He missed with the behind narrowing the margin to one point.

Three minutes later Yarra Valley iced the game with a second goal for the quarter.

The Two Blues next assignment is away against Whitefriars, struggling to avoid relegation.

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION  2-1 6-6 7-7 9-14 (68)

YARRA VALLEY 4-4 4-4 9-8 11-9 (75)

Goals: Grigg, Rogers, Sleight 2, Musster, G Hogarth, Harris.

Best: G Hogarth, Rogers, Anglin, Hunt, Radywonik, Keaney.

Reserves: 

The Reserves turned in another industrious effort to cement a finals berth.

In a low scoring game the Two Blues led all day and restricted the visitors to just two goals.

Captain and co coach Josh Ancrum led from the front as the Two Blues posted win number eight.

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 3-6 3-6 6-7 7-8 (50) 

YARRA VALLEY 1-0 1-5 1-5 2-8 (20)

Goals: Ancrum 2, Shellard, T Candy, Durnan, Ellis, Rice.

Best: Ancrum, Giofre, Delacruz, Webb, Kenny, Hall.

Club XXIII: 

A gallant loss to ladder leader Hawthorn in a low scoring game at Righetti Oval.

While Hawthorn had 22 scoring shots to 10 the Two Blues had their chances to win in the last quarter.

PRAHRAN ASSUMPTION 3-1 3-1 4-3 6-4 (40)

HAWTHORN 1-5 3-9 4-12 5-17 (47)