BEACONSFIELD seniors fought back after losing the toss against Devon Meadows and kicking into a strong breeze, winning a tough game by 26 points on Saturday.
The Eagles journeyed to Devon Meadows to meet a pumped up Panthers outfit who were fresh from a big victory the previous week.
Full of run, Devon Meadows played long, direct football to have five majors by the first break. The Eagles, on the other hand, struggled to record one.
Positional changes and the use of the wind saw Beaconsfield post five goals in the second, but the tenacious Panthers were able to keep ahead by slotting through three of their own.
Half time saw the home side with a 15point margin. First gamer Andrew Stent was proving a handful with three for the quarter.
Sensing the tide was turning, the Eagles came out full of confidence in the third term, scoring another five goals into the breeze, while restricting the Panthers to one to take the lead for the first time.
Rob Taylor was in sparkling form and Dean Ziesler showed a welcome return to form, marshalling the backline.
The pace of the game took its toll on players and the game progressed to a predictable conclusion, given the Eagles had the scoring end for the final quarter, to run out winners.
Scores: Beaconsfield 14.10.94 d Devon Meadows 10.8.68
Goals Beaconsfield: Andrew Stent 5, Luke McConnell 4, Rob Taylor 2, Daniel Mislicki, Tim Musgrove, Steve Munday 1.
Best Beaconsfield: Rob Taylor, Dean Ziesler, Andrew Stent, Hadyn Robins, James Magner.
RESERVES
Unlike the previous week, Beaconsfield reverted to type, conceding a big first quarter lead, albeit with the Panthers having the benefit of the breeze.
The game looked lost, but the Eagles stuck to their guns, playing much better football in the second stanza, although making little impression on the scoreboard, trailing by 26 points at half time.
Facing a tiring Devon Meadows into the wind in the third term, the Eagles clawed back a goal to make the margin a 20 points at threequarter time.
While restricting the Panthers to two points for the quarter, the Eagles had only managed three goals for the term.
Dale Hynes instrumental in the Beaconsfield resurgence when, in the shadows of the final siren, big Brett Maddock marked and goaled with the last kick of the day to give his side a stirring twopoint victory.
Scores: Beaconsfield 8.11.59 d Devon Meadows 8.9.57.
Goals: Dale Hynes 2, Ryan Price 2, Dale Ruse, Brett Hogan, Jason Reynolds, Brett Maddock 1.
Best: James Brown, Dale Hynes, Jason Cousins, Warren Sheean, Paul Rutter.
UNDER 18
In a trend that would continue all day, the young Eagles lost the toss and kicked into the teeth of a gale in the first quarter.
The firedup Panthers made the early running before Beaconsfield settled to establish a small lead at quarter time.
The Eagles slammed home six unanswered goals in the second to gain a stranglehold on the game.
The halftime lead was out to 52 points.
After the long break, Devon Meadows again made use of the wind to post majors, while the Eagles toiled away and increased the lead to 10 goals at orange time.
A big last quarter saw another eight unanswered Beaconsfield goals and a comfortable victory.
Scores: Beaconsfield 21.11.137 d Devon Meadows 3.4.22.
Goals: Aaron Gwozdziewski 5, Joel Gibson 4, Sean Alexander 3, James Alexander 2, Paul Van Lambaart, Brenton Goldsack, Rob Palazzolo, John Noonan, Reece Pater, Andrew Campbell, Ji Veltmeyer 1.
Best: Aaron Gwozdziewski, James Alexander, Ryan Olsson, Joel Gibson, Andrew Campbell, Jesse Linkins.
COLTS
The Eagles travelled to Frankston to play the Dolphins.
In difficult conditions the Eagles were unable to consistently get the ball into the forward 50 and fell short by 33 points to an accomplished Dolphin side.
Scores: Beaconsfield 3.6.24 lost to Frankston Dolphins 9.3.57.
Goals: Josh Dodsworth, Patrick Tuck, Darren Fellows
Best: Patrick Tuck, Mark Griffiths, Scott Jolliffe, Shaun Klein, Ryan Paligorov.
