Lucknow is the only unbeaten side in the East Gippsland Football Netball League after knocking off Stratford last Saturday at Boyd Reserve by 11 points.
The Magpies got the jump on the Swans and peppered the goals early, wasting several opportunities, with the Swans struggling to get the ball out of the Lucknow forward 50 after kickouts.
The Swans eventually found a way and their efficiency saw them six points down at the first break, a good result given the Lucknow dominance and the fact they made it easy for veteran Magpie backman Andrew Nelson to effect a spoil on many occasions by bombing the ball forward instead of lowering the eyes upon entry.
Play evened up in the second term with both sides having good patches, though goals where difficult to come by as the ball spent considerable time between the arcs.
There was some outstanding match ups with Link McKenna (two goals) going
head-to-head with last year’s competition best and fairest winner, Lachlan Channing, and Matt Corbett opposed to Swans coach
Nathan Pollard.
Deon Grace and Floyd Fulton had a great duel in the ruck, though Grace was advantaged by getting regular support from Jake Richards, who contributed two goals when up forward.
Haydn Erfurth returned for Stratford after not suiting up last season and found the going tough against Jessie Pescod, while young Jack Saulle and the freakishly talented Jack Bacon had a great tussle at high half forward.
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Lucknow had a handy lead of 11 points at half time, but the Swans were still right in the match, Stratford narrowing the margin to just seven points, kicking the only major of the third term, when the ball went up and back at will, only to be run away by the opposition’s defence.
Both sides had their chances in the final term, the Magpies more than the Swans, errant kicking again costing them again, however thankfully for them they got it right when the pressure was at its highest.
As time on approached the Swans hit the front for the first time for the day, only to concede two late goals, going down by 11 points in cracking game where the Magpies had 11 more shots on goal.
Brendan Flinn was again among the goal kickers, kicking two playing as small forward for Lucknow, as did Chris Dixon and Ryan Thatcher for the home side.
Among the better players for the winners were Saulle, McKenna, Corbett, Richards, hard running wingman, Glenn Perkins and perennial club best and fairest winner, Joel McNamara (two).
The Swans were well served by Channing, Bacon, Fulton, Thatcher, veterans Russell White and Nathan French.
Lucknow sits four points clear on top of the table, with Stratford second on percentage, with a huge round of matches set for after the King’s Birthday holiday when the top four sides and obvious premiership contenders are set to meet.
Wy Yung will welcome the Swans to Bullumwaal Road, while Boisdale Briagolong will host Lucknow at the Cabbage Patch.
The loss to the Bombers would put an early dent in their hopes of a top two finish.
Stratford will look at including Jordan Robertson, Jarryd Clohessy, Brody Reid, Blake Cuttriss and Tim Hawkins for the match against the Tigers.