Laurimar remains in touching distance of its maiden Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 finals appearance after a dominant 69-point win over Kilmore at Laurimar Reserve.
With a heavy breeze swirling around the ground, the Power were able to capitalise on their opportunities in the 13.16 (94) to 3.7 (25) win in Round 16.
The victory was Laurimar’s eighth for the season and was its second-highest winning margin, ensuring it kept its finals chances well and truly alive with just two rounds left in the home and away season.
The Power remain a game and percentage behind fourth-placed Mernda ahead of matches against bottom-two sides Lalor and Reservoir. Conversely, the Demons face top-two sides St Mary’s and Panton Hill in the final two rounds.
Early on it was Kilmore who was kicking with the favourable wind and they away side made a promising start, with a goal to Thomas McMillan opening the scoring.
But that would be the only major the Blues would kick for the entire first half, as goals to Jacob Lawson and Dallas King saw out the first term with Laurimar holding a seven-point advantage.
Kilmore had more clearances and inside 50s than its opponent, however, it also recorded five more turnovers, which hurts its hopes of capitalising on the scoreboard dearly.
The second term saw the Power gain the ascendency in the middle of the ground, as goals to Joshua Leather and Jack Kreuzberger inside two minutes saw the margin extend out to 19 points.
Leather goaled again not long after before a Mark Mura major late in the quarter saw the Power hold a commanding 37-point win at the half-time break.
The third quarter saw the tide shift early on, with Kilmore dominating possession and the inside 50 count for the first five minutes.
But it would prove to no avail as Jacson Cecil capitalised after being on the end of a coast to coast play, triggered by a Kilmore turnover, pushing the Power’s lead out to a game-high 42 points.
Brad Deed followed suit not long after with his first for the day, before the Blues finally cashed in on their countless forward entries at the end of the third term, with goals to Matthew Swindells and Michael McCulloch inside a minute of each other.
They would prove to be the last time the Blues would put the ball sail through the middle of their goals, as Laurimar piled on four unanswered majors in the final term, including King’s third, to close out the match with a 69-point win.
Bouncing back from a disappointing 65-point loss to South Morang the week prior, Laurimar was well led by Noel Murray, Vin Swanepoel and Mitchell Thompson in the big victory.
For Kilmore, the never-say-die efforts of Grant Paxton, Leight Irons and Swindells were of note.
Laurimar travels to Lalor in Round 17, while Kilmore returns home to tackle the second-placed Panton Hill.
Final score: Laurimar 13.16 (94) def Kilmore 3.7 (25)
