Sale rises to the top; Bairnsdale into ‘five’
Sale went to the top of the Gippsland League ladder with a strong win against Moe in a top of the table clash at Moe on Saturday.
The home side took a one goal lead into half time but the second half was all the Magpies as they ran away to an impressive 14-8 to 9-8 win, Brad Dessent finishing off good work by his team mates around the ground with five goals.
Sale has won five of six games to lead the way from Maffra and Leongatha that joined Moe on four wins after their victories on Saturday.
Maffra was far too good in its match at Wonthaggi while Leongatha came from 38 points behind to get the points at Drouin.
An inaccurate Bairnsdale, especially in the last quarter when it kicked 2-10, scraped home 7-21 to 10-12 against Traralgon to move into fifth place with three wins ahead of Drouin on percentage. Traralgon that had led by 10 points at three-quarter time is alone at the bottom of the ladder with just one win to date.
Warragul notched its second win from three games, surviving a last quarter challenge at Western Park for a six-point victory 8-7 to 6-7 against Morwell.
It has been a highly interesting first onethird of the season with plenty of upsets and the most even competition for a number of years.
No side can take any match for granted.
Next weekend will add further spice and ladder movements with the top four sides to clash.
Sale travels to Leongatha and with the Parrots’ long injury list will have no better chance to win at the difficult Leongatha ground.
Maffra and Moe clash at Maffra in a game that will provide a good measure of Moe’s improvement this year.
Availability of key players - all sides have had their issues so far – could have a big bearing on results.
Bairnsdale’s long trip to Wonthaggi will be a test for the Redlegs and one which will say a lot about its finals’ credentials.
All of their three wins have been at home.
Warragul is at home again and takes on Traralgon that has had its injury worries and finds itself in rare territory at the foot of the table.
The Maroons have had four narrow losses – by 15, three, eight, and eight points – among five defeats and will be intent on a change of fortune.
Drouin travels to Morwell for a game that the Hawks need to win to continue a push for the “five”.
Games at grounds of first named clubs, all on Saturday, are:Warragul v. Traralgon. Morwell v. Drouin. Leongatha v. Sale. Maffra v. Moe. Wonthaggi Bairnsdale. v.