Top of ladder side Lucknow defeated Orbost Snowy Rovers by a solitary point in the dying moments of their round nine East Gippsland Football Netball League clash last Saturday at the Lucknow Recreation Reserve.
Lucknow began the final quarter with an 11 point advantage, but the Blues were in for the fight.
It developed into an arm wrestle with the teams going goal-for-goal, both sides holding the lead at different times and having opportunities to win the match.
The Blues had nine shots at goal to four in the final term converting three goals, while the Magpies kicked two.
Continued forward pressure by the Fenner brothers, Brayden, Lachlan (three goals) and Mitchell saw several vital turnovers, resulting in at least one goal for Orbost.
Among the many raids forward, veteran Magpies defender Andrew Nelson stood strong along with his rugged backline crew.
Jordan Ross continued to feed his team-mates, while Tom Smith and Max Welsh did everything they could to get the Blues home.
Glenn Perkins was standing resolute on his wing for the Magpies, pumping the ball forward towards Jake Richards and the Smiths, Jackson (four) and Dallas (two).
The pressure was building and missed opportunities by both teams had the scores level ticking into time on.
The ball was spending the majority of the time in the Lucknow forward 50, with the Orbost defenders doing a sterling job to not allow a score of any type.
With time running out, Nelson booted a ball into the pocket which ended up being punched through the points, practically on the siren.
Lucknow was left to celebrate while the Blues pondered what might have been.
The Magpies’ eighth victory for the season sees them a game ahead of Wy Yung, Boisdale Briagolong and Stratford, who make up the top four with seven victories.
The loss now sees the Blues precariously placed in fifth spot, two wins outside the top four with plenty of work to do if they are to replicate last year’s finals appearance.
Earlier the game started at a frantic pace, which seemed to suit Orbost as it dominated the early stages of the game with Ash Jonkers in everything, continually propelling them forward.
IMAGE: Lucknow’s Jack Saulle dishes off a handball to teammate Glen Perkins during his side’s thrilling one-point round nine East Gippsland Football Netball League victory over Orbost Snowy last Saturday at Lucknow Recreation Reserve.
