Lucas spurs Hawks

By Gary Wragg
NINE goals from second-gamer Shaun Lucas were instrumental in Monbulk’s huge win over a weakened Mount Evelyn in round 14 of the YVMDFL.
Lucas joined a string of impressive young players who have debuted with the Hawks this season, but few have made such a stunning impact.
Lucas’ haul follows his five goals from the previous week and has given the Hawks added potency up forward to add to the marking strengths of key forwards, Langworthy and Wragg.
The Hawks had kept Mt Evelyn goalless in the first half, with Comfort enjoying renewed form on the wing, Mick Hughson and Hicken repelling all that came their way and on-ballers Chris Hughson and Clarke making light work of mopping up the packs.
Mt Evelyn were reeling, but worse was to follow when Wragg and Comfort were pivotal in a burst that saw the Hawks add another 11 majors, aided by a flurry of inept turnovers from the Rovers, who were still without a goal as the final quarter started.
The Lucas show reached a crescendo as the youngster bagged another 3 goals in the final quarter, while Mt Evelyn eventually added the same to avoid a total whitewash.
Monbulk 29.23.197 d Mt Evelyn 3.3.21.
Best: Comfort, Lucas, Wragg, Hicken, van Seters.
Goals: Lucas 9, Wragg 5, Comfort 4, Clarke, Mullinder, Hughson 2.
Reserves:
IN a carbon copy of the senior’s game, Mt Evelyn’s run to the finals was abruptly sidetracked by the powerful unit that is Monbulk, eventually limping from the ground some 31 goals shy of the Hawks.
The Hawks are well clear on top of the ladder and look to maintain the momentum in the run home to the finals.
Monbulk 30.22.202 d Mt Evelyn 2.5.17.
Best: Coen, Utting, White, Mullinder, Brooks.
Goals: Brooks 6, Utting 4, Knoll, Fleming, Klep 3, Mullinder 2.
Netball – A Grade
THE Hawkettes recent return to form suffered a setback when Mt Evelyn stunned them in a convincing win.
Despite sterling defence from Mel Whitworth and Renee Dekker, the reigning premiers were over-powered by the Rovers, who controlled the ball for most of the day to run out comfortable 46-32 winners.
Best: J. Rutherford, M. Whitworth, R. Dekker, J. Sands.
Goals: J. Sands 17, J. Rutherford 12.
B Grade
SITTING on top of the table, the B Grade side was determined to account for their unexpected loss last week as they defeated third-placed Mt Evelyn in an impressive preview of the finals.
Led by the dynamic Emma Mullinder, Beth Stubbs and Leonie Taylor, the girls gave sound warning that the depth of this team made it a force to reckon with in their 25-18 win in a low scoring match.
Best: E. Mullinder, B. Stubbs, K. White, L. Taylor.
Goals: E. Mullinder 23.