Hawks outgun Woori Yallock

MONBULK and Woori Yallock turned on a thriller in a brilliant, often brutal, yet always dazzling game at Monbulk on Saturday.
A draw would have seen justice prevail, but instead, it was Monbulk who fell over the line in a death-or-glory rush in the dying minutes.
Amid a blistering opening, Monbulk took a narrow lead in the high scoring first quarter due to Woori’s inaccuracy, only to see it quickly eroded after the resumption. The two locked horns in a seesawing struggle for supremacy, with a solitary point separating them at the long break.
Each side boasted its heroes with Taylor, Fraser and Anderson shining for the Hawks while Sharp, Danny Ryan and Tim Williamson inspired the Tigers.
The significance of the third quarter was evident in the ferocity of players as they risked life and limb to gain possession until Bartlett initiated a six-goal flurry from Monbulk. Suddenly, the Tigers were 31 points down and seemingly for the count, but hit back courageously with a late burst to enter the final quarter only 3 goals in arrears.
The Tigers blitzed six goals to storm back to the lead with Ryan supreme in goal. Now it was Monbulk reeling – 9 points down, momentum with the rampant Tigers, and just minutes to go!
The restructured Hawks launched futile counter-attacks until Chris Hughson ignited Monbulk with his fifth, quickly followed by two more from Fraser before Anderson’s long bomb on the siren ended Woori’s gallant quest.
For the Hawks, the courageous win over such talented opposition signalled an important step in their steady progress back to premiership form.
For the valiant Woori, it was heartbreak after dominating for significant stretches, retaliated bravely when under fire, only to fall victim at the death knell to luck and some canny moves from the Monbulk brains trust.
Monbulk 20.9.129 d Woori Yallock 16.14.110.
Best: C. Hughson, Anderson, M. Hughson, Devers, Fraser.
Goals: C Hughson, 5, Anderson, Wragg, Bartlett, Langworthy 3, Fraser 2.
Reserves
Monbulk 21.12.139 d Woori Yallock 5.7.37.
MONBULK stormed to top of the ladder with a huge win over Woori Yallock, led by Rob Comfort and Alenson who ran riot across the ground and gained great support from O’Niell-Akker, Utting, Wright and Coen.
Apart from an even third quarter, Monbulk had dominated across the ground, using system and hard running to build a commanding lead into a crushing victory.
With a string of players yet to return, the Hawks now look poised to launch an all out assault for the finals.
Best: Alenson, Comfort, Coen, O’Niell-Akker, Utting.
Goals: Comfort 5, Mitchell 3, Arnott, O’Niell-Akker Adams, Klep, Coen 2.
Under 18
Monbulk 10.21.81 d Woori Yallock 4.7.31.
THE clash with fourth-placed Woori Yallock promised a classic, but Woori’s depleted list and Monbulk’s woeful kicking marred an otherwise impressive display by the young Hawks.
With Dean Cleven and Chris Waldron enjoying stellar years, the Hawks had first use all day and should have put the game away in the second quarter but for some woeful disposal. Nonoy Roca and Heath Huybens were important to the Hawks with their strength and drive as the Hawks cruised to a 50 point victory
Best: D. Cleven, C. Waldron, H. Huybens, N. Roca, Peterson.
Goals: Cleven 3, Peterson 2.
Netball
Woori Yallock 43 d Monbulk 26.
MONBULK’S defence of the A Grade championship is beginning to look a little shaky after a towelling from top side, Woori Yallock, which plummeted the girls to third place.
Despite the efforts of Jamie Sands and Bec McCormick, Woori held sway on the court all day and cemented their favouritism to wrest the crown from the Hawkettes.
Best: J. Sands, B. McCormick, R. Decker, M. Dawson.
Goals: J. Sands 19, J. Rutherford 4, M. Dawson 3.
B Grade
Monbulk 31 d Woori Yallock 23.
THE B Grade met a little more resistance than expected, but still overcame a game Woori side to move to top of the ladder. Beth Stubbs and Lisa Boyle’s emergence as valuable players continued as they took control of the court to give Emma Mullinder and Bec Finlay plenty of scoring opportunities.
Best: L. Boyle, B. Finlay, B. Stubbs, K. White.
Goals: E. Mullinder 22, B. Finlay 9.