Persistence pays off for Pumas

By Glen Atwell
LYNDALE recorded its third win of the season with a nail-biting two-point result over Hampton at Barry Powell Reserve on Saturday.
After the Pumas had led at every change, including by eight points at the last huddle, the Hammers snatched the lead with five minutes remaining, and kicked another quick goal to extend the margin to 10 points.
With three minutes left, Lyndale coach Paul Wilson could have been forgiven for presuming a winning result was out of reach, but the young Pumas rallied, and goals to Adrian McCracken and Chris Briggs were enough to secure the four points.
“I thought we were in a bit of trouble. After leading all day then trailing by 10 points late in the game, I thought it was gone,” Wilson said.
“But the boys really dug deep.”
Lyndale captain Tristan Caples and prolific ball-winner, Ragip Ragipi impressed, and the Pumas were also well assisted by Anthony Grace.
The win kept Lyndale locked in sixth position on the Southern Football League (SFL) Division Two ladder, but Wilson has his sights set on steady ascent.
With Dingley and Springvale comfortably occupying first and second spots, Wilson said the third and fourth positions were well and truly up for grabs.
“String a few wins together and any team is right up there,” he said.
“It’ll be hard to knock Dingley and Springvale from first and second, they are both top teams.”
This Saturday Lyndale travels to Caulfield to tackle another team also locked on three wins and two losses.
Dingley v Oakleigh
Dingley’s domination of the SFL Division Two competition continued with a comfortable 79-point win against Oakleigh Districts at Souter Oval on Saturday.
Oakleigh is a decent side, and the Dingoes’ second-gear win would have definitely sounded alarm bells to other second division sides seeking a promotion next year.
Adam Quinn was again masterful in front of the goals, slotting seven majors and taking his season total to 48 from five games.
Dingley vice-president Bret Lavars also starred in a cameo attacking role, booting three goals, and Brett Gniel and Andrew Frost also kicked three each.
Like so many times before, the dynamic Dingoes had again secured a winning result by the end of the first term, scoring 7.7 to Oakleigh’s 3.3.
Stephen Pitt and Clinton Brookes ran riot and each racked up countless possessions that fed the forward line with constant scoring opportunities.
Oakleigh was far from uncompetitive, but Dingley was just simply irrepressible as it ran out a convincing winner.
Tony Lavars and Steve DeBolfo were among the best on ground contenders for the Dingoes.
On Saturday Dingley travels to Ashwood in a game that should not prove too troublesome for the slick Dingoes’ side.