Panton Hill have finished their 2023 MC Labour Division 2 campaign on a high, following a 33-point triumph over Epping at A.E. Cracknell Reserve.
The Blues had to win this clash if they were to survive in Division 2 for another year and while they put together a brave challenge at times, they were no match for the Redbacks, going down 14.14 (98) to 9.11 (65)
Redbacks skipper Samuel Parks put on a brilliant display, leading his team through a tough contest while Oliver and Nicholas Parks were critical in halting the Blues gaining momentum throughout the afternoon.
Matthew Duckworth and Bailey Sobol finished as the leading goalkickers for the hosts with three majors each. The former finishing with 30 majors for the year and the latter producing an equal season high goal tally.
For the visitors, Michael Jacobson and Finnen Hoare were stand-outs, both making significant impacts throughout the game.
Predictably, captain Judd Leigh was at his commanding best, with Luke Lirosi standing strong in the midfield.
It was the visitors who had control of the contest from the first siren, with Lucas Aquillina converting a set shot inside the opening minute to produce the first major of the day.
Panton Hill’s first entry into their forward 50 saw them respond almost immediately with Duckworth marking and goaling from close range.
The play then remained in Epping’s half for the majority of the first term, however with only a couple of behinds to show for it, the momentum never really swung too far over their way.
It opened up an opportunity for the home side to strike as a result, and they soon did, thanks to goals from Bailey Sobol and Samuel Parks.
The Blues struggled to defend when the Redbacks got their momentum going, and although Epping were able to gain one goal back, majors from Riley Livingstone and Maxwell Brook ensure the hosts had a comfortable 17-point lead at the first break.
In the second term, the Blues again started strong, with Daniel Rakhlin leading the way up forward with a goal and another attempt to gain ascendency for his side.
Archer Bugden then found the big sticks to reduce the deficit to three, with his side’s brilliant defensive pressure not allowing the Redbacks any flow going forward.
Bailey Caldow was particularly brilliant throughout the quarter, taking the game on and supporting his teammates through shepherds and running hand-offs.
But just as the Blues looked to take the lead heading into the main break, it was Panton Hill who would have the last say of the first half, with Riley Livingstone converting a set shot on the siren to give the home side an eight-point buffer.
That goal would go on to spark a huge surge from the Redbacks in the third quarter, kicking four unanswered goals while keeping the Blues to just two behinds in order to push their advantage out to 34 points.
Riley Cousins, Kyle Crosby and Jackson Grimble were excellent in their side’s burst, constantly pushing their team forward while keeping the ball out of their defensive half.
The Blues didn’t count themselves out of the contest despite a disappointing third term, highlighted by a lighting quick start to the final quarter win which two quick majors from Keenan and Luke Lirosi putting the Redbacks on the backfoot.
Bugden soon kicked a second after running into the open goal, and suddenly the deficit was just 17 points with still plenty of time remaining.
However, the Redbacks made sure it was as close as their opponents got for the remainder of the match, with Sobol’s third goal putting a dagger in the visitors’ hopes of a comeback.
Both sides exchanged goals to round out the term, with some late Panton Hill majors finishing off a solid 33-point victory.