BY NATHAN DOLE
PYRAMID Hill stayed in the Central Victorian FL under-18 boys’ premiership race by the barest of margins on Sunday.
The Bulldogs’ pups took on Bridgewater in the elimination final at Beck Legal Riverside Oval in Newbridge.
After dominating most of the first half, Pyramid Hill led 37-13 at the break.
In the third quarter it was Bridgewater which seized control
After an inaccurate 1.7 in the first half, the Mean Machine slammed on 4.9 to a behind in the third term to lead 46-38 at a quarter to play.
It was a superb finish to the contest as both teams fought to keep their season alive.
Pyramid Hill’s score of 3.6 to 2.3 was enough to clinch a 62-61 victory.
The Bulldogs’ attack was led by Jacob Clough-Fidler, Harrison Goodes, Connor McCoy and Lewis Stubbs on two goals each.
Cale Woodhatch kicked a match-high three goals for Bridgewater as Jackson Hetherton and Tarrant Pidoto chipped in with two.
Pyramid Hill’s best were Blake Gibson, Harrison Goodes, Riley Hutton, Connor McCoy, Lewis Stubbs and Jacob Clough-Fidler.
Sam McMahon, Cooper Orton, Cale Woodhatch, Tarrant Pidoto, Liam Morse-McNabb and William Salau played well for Bridgewater.
The finals action kicked off with Saturday’s qualifying final between East Loddon Rams and Inglewood at Bridgewater Recreation Reserve.
The Rams led 8-3 at quarter-time and 23-11 by half-time.
In the third it was the Inglewood Blues who lifted their play to score 2.1 and also kept East Loddon scoreless.
The Blues led 24-23 going into the final term, but it was the Rams who did plenty of attacking in the last and added 3.2 to 0.2 for a 43-26 victory.
Goalkickers for the Rams were Josh Diss, Mitchell Hancock, Lachlan James, Noah Ramskil, Jye Rasmussen and Jagger Thomas.
Mitch Jeffrey kicked two goals for Inglewood as Zen Joyner added another.
Best for East Loddon Rams were Tyler Rasmussen, Josh Diss, Cade Tuohey, Jaxon Addlem, Tom Harcourt and Jye Rasmussen.
Jaspa Wendels, Gabe Nevins, Tyler Murphy, Cooper Hackett, Mitch Jeffrey and Campbell Hancock played well for the Blues.
The unbeaten Marong kicks off its finals campaign in Saturday’s second semi-final against East Loddon Rams at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve at 10.40am.
Sunday’s first semi-final will be played at Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park where Inglewood and Pyramid Hill clash from 10.40am.