:: Seniors Report - By Lurch.
The Beaumaris Sharks know every word of the Dark Blues’ Games Song. On Saturday the Sharks heard the Games Song twice as the OMs’ Reserves and Seniors ground out narrow hard-fought victories: the Reserves having to win to keep their finals dream alive, and the Seniors needing to give themselves a vital buffer in a five-way battle to avoid relegation to C-grade. However, the Seniors remain mathematically capable of entering the final four if they win the remaining three games and St. Kevin’s loses them.

The wind favoured the OMs in the first and third quarters, although it was swirly at times. They made a good solid start to the game, and, whilst the 9 point margin at quarter time was good, having had over twice the scoring shots of the Sharks, the buffer should have been larger. The missing of a few “certain” goals suggested nerves were playing a role.

The halftime score does not tell the story of the second quarter. The Sharks kicked four goals without response to take a worrying lead. However, the OMs did not lie down, and fought back to take an unlikely lead by halftime. Marty “Moose” Kennon stepped up in the second quarter and was one of the OMs’ hardest competitors for the remainder of the game. Funky Farquharson’s first half proved he’s got his groove back, and his attack on the ball again made him a very handy contributor.

Beaumaris outscored the OMs again in the third quarter, primarily due to the OMs again struggling to kick straight in their numerous attacks on goal. The two sides went goal for goal throughout the quarter. Perhaps the best team goal started with “Junior” Prowse taking the ball out from full back, sending it through the guts of the ground via a chain of team mates for a goal at the other end, untouched by Beaumaris hands. It was the kind of simple, direct play the OMs mostly played. It would have satisfied a bloke called Allan Jeans, who had given a rousing talk in the rooms before the game on the basis he’d apparently coached a few winning teams in his day….

The scene was set for a classic final quarter, with a one point difference in the OMs’ favour at the last change. Beaumaris took the ball out of the centre first and went forward on what would be one of only about three forward forays for the quarter. It failed to score, and neither team scored for some time. When the drought was broken, it was by the OMs, but only a point was scored. It was one of a string of five frustrating points that had every OM and their supporters on a razor’s edge. A quick goal or two to Beaumaris could have torn the game apart, but the OMs were so desperate in their defence and attack that the ball did not cross the centre for a very lengthy period.

Rod Matthews’ three goals were pivotal in winning the game, but his last quarter shot on goal was too hasty, and missed. Nick “Rusty” “Russ-Dog” Russell, usually found in the backline, took a difficult shot at goal from the boundary line, but missed. “Shep” Panton missed a “certain” goal and those who saw his agony fervently hoped an OM win would relieve his pain. The end of the agony came when the OMs ran the ball straight up the ground, working as a team to shepherd off Beaumaris opponents, and at least one worried coach was relieved to see defender Playfair handball to proven goal scorer Willo to take a successful shot on goal. Another goal soon followed after Moose used his body well to leap up, take a great mark, and spin around, landing back in the goal square. Beaumaris managed to score a goal, but it was too little, too late, and the clock finally and mercifully wound down to zero.

The win was a great team effort. No-one gave anything less than a full effort. Funky’s return to his 2006 form was invaluable, as was Mark Hawkins’, as he took 15 marks in his best game for the season. As one of the few big men of the OMs, Hawkins’ return to form could not have come at a more desperate time. So good were Hawkins’ hands that Millsy - waiting for the crumbs - went hungry. Nick Russell played his best game for the season. Tom Bennison had to tackle for two, with his best mate Will Kiel still recovering from injury, but he won new admirers from out of town who saw his work for the first time. Ned Morrison, once told to stay away from the wings, did a lot of running through the centre, and his delivery by foot was impeccable (there being for him the shortest distance between hand and foot of any OM). His last quarter effort was crucial to the Dark Blues’ victory.

Captain Barclay Dixon generally gave the OMs first use of the ball out of the ruck, and in the last quarter he desperately threw himself at any loose ball. Junior Prowse was yet again rock solid in defence and led attacks out of it. His ability to either get in front of his opponent, punch from behind, or mark when safe to do so have been exemplary. Shep always fights hard for the Dark Blue, and for too long this has gone unrewarded. He is finally enjoying a few victories as more of his team mates have stepped up to support his ceaseless efforts. Playfair’s intensity yet again played a key part in rattling an opposition team, as the OMs won the game by never easing the pressure on Beaumaris. It was a big day for one-percenters.

This Saturday the OMs return to the Junction Oval to play new ladder leaders St. Bedes/Mentone, who beat previous ladder leaders Old Essendon last weekend. In both games against the OMs Old Essendon had been unconvincing and susceptible to pressure. St. Bedes inflicted the worst defeat of 2007 on the OMs at their home ground stronghold and that they beat Old Essendon came as little surprise. A true test of the OMs’ revival will be their return game against St. Bedes/Mentone this Saturday. With three rounds to go, the ladder below shows the task ahead, with the OMs’ last two games being against University Blacks (away) and Ajax (home)

Tags: Andrew Prowse, Barclay Dixon, Beaumaris, Mark Hawkins, Ned Morrison, Sam Playfair, Will Panton