Two Blues gain some consolation

WHEN the losses mount any positive is to be celebrated .

So winless Prahran’s achievement to keep likely Premier C Grade finalist St Bede’s Mentone goalless kicking with a stiff northerly breeze in the third quarter on Saturday can rightly be considered a worthy achievement.

This was just the third time this season St Bede's had failed to score a goal in a quarter and testament to a valiant defence led by Patrick Ribbands and Ryan Smyth and a change in game plan.

Coach Craige Milward asked for a stoppage game at half-time and that is what we saw.

It wasn’t pretty but a return of 0-2 represented a ‘consolation win’ for Prahran.

This was in total contrast to the first quarter 7-3 opening blitz by St Bede’s which had all the signs of a second successive 100 point defeat.

But in the third term the early rampant version of the Tigers suddenly stalled.

The Two Blues laboured with the wind in the second term.

It was deep in time-on when Rory Brodie goaled from 40m after a free kick for a marking infringement to end the drought.

The last quarter saw the Two Blues dominate inside 50s for a return of 1-7 which was a frustrating return.

Effort alone is not enough in Premier C where the pace of the game and tackling pressure is several levels above Division 1 standards.

Indeed, the Tigers tackling pressure was elite, rarely allowing the Two Blues any time and space.

PRAHRAN 0-1 1-4 1-4 2-11 (23)

ST BEDE'S MENTONE 7-2 10-6 10-8 13-11 (89)

Goals. Brodie, Simonetta

Best. Patrick Ribbands, Mackenzie Mayne, Ryan Smyth, Rory Brodie, Thomas Seaman, Gus Alekna

RESERVES

A heartbreaking narrow defeat to second-on-the-ladder St Bedes' Mentone.

In a tight, low scoring game a rushed point from an Ethan Plaza shot at goal levelled the scores with five minutes to play.

Despite Prahran coming home with a stiff northerly breeze the home team kicked the winning goal against the trend of play with less than two minutes remaining.

A disappointing end to skipper Blake Graham's 100th club game.

The loss leaves Prahran six points adrift of fourth placed Ajax with its finals hopes ebbing away.

PRAHRAN 1-2 2-6 4-7 6-10 (46)

ST BEDE'S MENTONE 2-4 2-5 6-10 7-10 (52)

Goals. Elwin 3, Musster, Plaza, Amalfi.

Best. Ethan Plaza, James Elwin, Jackson Partridge, Matt Hughes, Michael Woods, Angus Perez

WOMENS

OUR Womens Team continues improving every week - but it becomes a harder task to remain competitive with many injuries, players away and Melbourne's cold & flu season in full swing.

We ventured to the Albert Park sporting precinct once again to play South Melbourne Districts for the first time this season, on the heaviest muddy ground we have encountered to date.

Still blessed with sunshine, we took to the field with only 16 players and just two on the interchange bench, against a full squad opposition team. 

Opportunities presented for both teams in the first half, with the game remaining even as both sides only scored points. Our defence was outstanding along with some inspiring passages of play, whereby we nearly scored a long awaited goal!!!! 

The second half, with the heavy ground and more injuries, took its toll as South Melbourne broke away with the advantage of a “never- ending” interchange bench. 

We continue to learn and get better and despite another loss, we are becoming a stronger team and building significant resilience ......... 'Our Persistance will Pay OFF!'

With three weeks break we will be excited and energised to come back stronger than ever for the final four games, two of which will be against lower graded teams in our Division.

PRAHRAN 0-2 0-3 0-3 0-3 (3)

SOUTH MELBOURNE DISTRICTS 0-5 1-7 3-9 6-15 (51)

Best. Laura Perree, Taylor Blaydon, Rebecca Wallace-Malloy, Katy Perree, Anna Be