A SEVEN-goal to one second quarter set up Lucknow’s 51-point victory over Stratford in round two of East Gippsland football.
Stratford matched Lucknow in the first term, heading to the first change just three points in arrears before the Magpies flicked the switch, booting seven straight in the second term to take a 37-point lead into the main change.
The Swans would only manage one goal in both the second and third terms, with Magpie forward Brad Paris proving hard to contain at the other end, while best-on-ground Aiden Fitzgerald also hit the scoreboard with three majors.
Stratford won the final quarter, booting three goals to two, to cut the final margin to 51 points, 15.13 (103) to 8.4 (52).
Gavin Bickery and Rowan Marsden did their best to contain the Magpies, while Ty Morrison, Matt Cutler and Kade Simmonds were all prominent for the Swans. Dylan Cartwright and James Russell were the multiple goal scorers for Stratford with two a-piece.
REIGNING premier Lindenow continued its winning ways with a tight 14-point win over Lakes Entrance in a match which ebbed and flowed.
Leading by 11 points after a high-scoring first term, the Cats booted five majors in the second quarter to set up a 32-point lead before the Seagulls hit back with five goals of their own in the third term to reduce the margin to two points at the final change, but were were left to rue missed opportunities, also booting five behinds, in the third term.
The final term was also high scoring, with the Cats booting six goals to the Seagulls’ four to run out 14-point winners, 17.7 (109) to 14.11 (95).
PAYNESVILLE got the early jump on Wy Yung before running out a nine-point winner, 10.11 (71) to 9.8 (62), to take top spot on the ladder.
The Kangaroos kicked five goals in the second quarter to extend their lead to 30 points at half-time, but the Tigers hit back after the main break, booting six goals to two, but couldn’t quite get over the line.
