Lower Plenty have taken a massive step towards finishing the MC Labour Division 2 season in the top three after defeating Diamond Creek by 18 points at Montmorency Park South Oval.
Despite multiple challenges from the Creekers, the Bears remained in control of the contest for most of the match to steer their way to 10.12 (72) to 7.12 (54) victory.
The slick movement from the Bears was fuelled by the likes of Joshua Turner and Tyler Wallace along with another stellar performance by Tom Keys who constantly came up with big plays all around the ground to get his side going.
Creekers defenders Nathan Searl and Matthew Lewis were kept busy but stood tall in the backline while midfielders Thomas Bennett and Nicholas Barro were also top contributors for the visitors.
Scoring would get off to a stagnant start from both sides in the opening term, with the Bears registering three behinds before Brent Lynch would kick the first of his three goals for the match.
Ben Paterson would produce a prolific bit of play, with a right foot snap finding the big sticks and granting the Bears a 13-point lead heading into the break.
Momentum would shift with the way of the wind for Lower Plenty in the second quarter, with Lynch scoring another major that would be followed with a snap 40-metres out from Jasper Collins and then a goal from Tom Keys to quickly establish a lead beyond five goals.
Attempts from the Creekers to turn the scoring tide became unsuccessful due to constant interceptive work by Darcy Barden who led by example for the Bears’ backline and would do so for the rest of the match.
The Diamond Creek goal drought did come to an end midway through the term when Lochlan Brannelly converted his set shot.
Bears ruck Jarred Coutts restored his side’s five goal lead with a goal of his own before David Mennen got one back for the visitors to trail by 28 points at the main break.
Diamond Creek looked a rejuvenated side as they began the third term. The visitors had most of the possession, showing quickly through a goal from Tyler Barnes in the first minute.
Kicking against the wind, the Bears would struggle to move the ball forward, with their only goal of the term coming through Turner.
The Creekers would continue to attack with the breeze in their backs but would fail to capitalise. Mennen would kick his second goal of the afternoon late in the term but by registering five behinds from their seven scoring shots, Andrew Tranquilli’s side still trailed by 20 points at three quarter time.
Pressure and composure would soon catch up to the Creekers, with Lower Plenty countering in the final term with goals from Billy Barden, Jack Fitzpatrick and Lynch giving the home side their largest lead of the game at 38 points.
Although the Creekers continued to fight with three late majors, little time was left to complete a miracle comeback as the Bears held on for an 18-point victory.
