Pike's Boys Finally Break Through
The Age
Monday June 5, 2006
FOUR-TIME AFL premiership player Martin Pike has had a torrid debut year as coach of Hastings but yesterday, his team thundered home to taste victory for the first time this season.
In the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League's Peninsula division, Pike has been tormented by opposition players because of his winless record and there have been reports of infighting at the club. But all that was washed away at the weekend as Hastings rattled on 11 second-half goals against Bonbeach, chasing down a 26-point deficit at half-time to win by two goals, 14.11 (95) to 12.11 (83).It was a round of upsets, with top team and reigning premier Mount Eliza tasting defeat for the first time this year, losing to Seaford, 14.8 (92) to 10.19 (79).And second team Chelsea was also rolled, with Pines booting 5.5 to one point in the final term to win, 16.14 (110) to 15.10 (100).The heavyweights of the Eastern Football League, Noble Park and Vermont, took the gloves off in a battle for top spot.Both teams were undefeated coming into the round and seem destined for a grand final clash.Only six points separated the teams at half-time but Noble Park increased that to two goals at three-quarter-time, eventually winning 17.13 (115) to 13.12 (90).In the battle for third, Lilydalecleaned up Donvale, 18.9 (117) to 13.11 (89). Chris Murphy kicked five goals for the Falcons and at the other end, Ryan Power slotted six.It was a costly loss for the Vales, who dropped out of the four, replaced by East Ringwood after its win against Croydon 15.14 (104) to 9.16 (70).And bottom team Mitcham enjoyed its first win for the season, beating Blackburn, 15.18 (108) to 11.12 (78).
© 2006 The Age