By Colin MacGillivray

Confusion reigned as the siren sounded to end Saturday’s round two Horsham District football match between Taylors Lake and Natimuk.

While the scoreboard showed Natimuk United ahead by one point, many players believed the result was a draw.

In fact, Taylors Lake had won by a point, 9.9 (63) to 8.14 (62).

The result was not confirmed until minutes after the siren, leading to scenes of what Lakers coach Justin Beugelaar described as ‘hysteria’.

“I kicked a behind and then I got told by our runner the scoreboard was incorrect. It had Natimuk United leading and us down, so I threw myself down back and played on their key forward Lachy Harris,” he said.

“He had a set shot to win the game and he missed that, and then the siren went. I didn’t know what was going on. My parents were on the sidelines and they came up to me and said ‘you guys have won’.

“Apparently the point that I’d kicked was put onto their score and not ours, so it was a two-point swing. We didn’t find that out until after the siren.

“Both teams came together and we thought it was a draw from what we were being told.

“The goal umpires got together and we were getting a bit of feedback from one of our committee members who was near them that one goal umpire had on his card we’d won, and one had it as a draw.

“We went through the process, and once the decision had been made there was hysteria.”

Beugelaar said he urged his team to contain its celebrations.

“I tried to keep the boys in check and tried to be humble, because I could see how frustrating it was for Natimuk United,” he said.

“We went into the rooms and celebrated quickly, and then I told the boys to pull their heads in a bit. 

“I went into the Natimuk changerooms and congratulated them on a great game.

“The outcome at the end of the day wasn’t in their favour and the way it was officiated was a bit disappointing, but for us a win was a win.”

Best for Taylors Lake in the win were Max Kamstra, Bray Cullinan, Brayden Gebert, Hunter Campey and Mathew Millward, while Beugelaar booted six goals.

For the Rams, Harris matched Beugelaar with six majors of his own and Matt Bellinger, Zach Smith, Jono Lovel and Archie Sudholz were among other standouts.

Beugelaar praised the Lakers for their resolve in the face of pre-match adversity.

“Obviously the result is what we wanted, but I’m more happy with the fact we did it with five blokes out from our round one side,” he said.

“We were grasping at straws 24 hours before the game to try to find some players from the twos after we had some flights cancelled and one bloke get sick.”

Two rounds into the season, Taylors Lake has already matched its 2023 win total and sits third on the ladder, two spots behind its next opponent, Swifts.

The Baggies continued the momentum of their round one victory by dismantling Kaniva-Leeor United 23.17 (155) to 5.3 (33) at North Park.

Swifts spearhead Paul Summers outscored the Cougars on his own with eight majors, while wingman Zac Armer booted four goals in a best-on-ground performance and forward pocket Chris Freeman kicked three.

Hamish Bennett, Billy King, Joel Wagg and Luke Bennett tried hard in defeat for Kaniva-Leeor United, which will play an in-form Laharum this Saturday.

The Mountain Men banked their first win at the weekend when they defeated Kalkee 9.11 (65) to 7.2 (44) at Cameron Oval, with senior leaders including onballer Daniel Easson, defender Brett Ervin and co-coaches Shannon Argall and Robbie Miller leading the way.

For the Kees, Matt Nield, Louis Beddison, Hamish Exell and Jakob Butcher were the standouts.

Kalkee is winless from its first two contests and will host a Rupanyup team eager to redeem itself this weekend after the Panthers lost their first contest against Pimpinio.

Coming off a first-round bye, Rupanyup fell behind early against the Tigers and never recaptured the lead, losing 14.10 (94) to 9.5 (59).

Pimpinio, which moved to second on the ladder with an undefeated record, was led by captain Jason Westley, who kicked three goals, while Nick Groves had four and vice-captain Liam Jakobi booted two.

Rupanyup’s best included Bill Hansen, Cam Western and defender Daniel Schaper, while coach Brayden Ison kicked three goals.

Pimpinio has a bye in round three.

Rounding out the weekend’s games was the clash between Noradjuha-Quantong and Edenhope-Apsley, which the Bombers won 12.13 (85) to 3.5 (23).

Noradjuha-Quantong coach Damian Cameron said while it was a good result for his club, it left plenty of room for improvement.

“We played probably our best quarter of the season in the first quarter. We scored pretty heavily and dominated play,” he said. “After that we were a bit patchy to be honest. There were a few positives, but a fair bit we can take out of it to try to improve on in the next few weeks”

Among the positives for the Bombers were the performances of Jayden Besford, Dawson Cross and Jack Vague, while recruit Judah Hobbs kicked four goals.

The Saints’ best included ruckman Jeremy Kealy, wingman Shayne Williams and defender Christopher La Rocca.

The Bombers will return to Quantong Recreation Reserve to renew their rivalry with Natimuk United this weekend, while the Saints’ task will grow no easier against reigning premier Harrow-Balmoral, which returns from a bye.

The entire April 24, 2024 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire April, 24, 2024 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!