DARLEY teenager Cooper Pepi had a day he will never forget on Saturday – kicking the winning goal to bring Lake Wendouree unstuck for the first time in the Ballarat Football League this season.
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Still eligible to player under-18.5s and playing just his third senior game, Pepi booted the winner from a set shot with less than one minute to play.
Final scores: Darley 13.14 (92) d Lake Wendouree 12.17 (89)
This gives the reigning premier three wins in a row and keeps it one game inside the top six in sixth position after a disastrous start to the season in which it lost four games in a row in its first five outings.
Lake Wendouree had a stranglehold on the game at half-time – leading by 39 points.
Just as it did against East Point a week earlier, the Devils clawed their way back.
They closed the margin to 24 points with a five-goal third quarter and then added another five goals to Lake Wendouree’s one in the last term.
Ryan Closter put Darley in front on 14 minutes – the first time the Devils had lead since early in the first stanza.
However, this was shortlived with Tanner Robertson four minutes later.
Darley continued to press until Pepi had his moment.
Darley’s Steve Kennedy and Lake Wendouree gun Steve Clifton had a stunning duel.
Although not always on each other, the prime movers provided the stimulus for each of the combatants in a stunning match.
Redan 14.5 (89) d North Ballarat City 8.15 (63)
REDAN reminded everyone of its intention to remain a serious flag contender by disposing of a tired and worn out North Ballarat City outfit at the City Oval on Saturday.
City was always going to be in trouble after coach Jordyn Burke was shown a red card at quarter time, although it was able to replace him after 20 minutes.
In a game that was extremely unattractive to watch given the heavy state of the City Oval, it went down to which team was able to capitalise more on its opportunities and Redan delivered in spades – converting 14 goals from 19 scoring shots.
Melton 15.12 (102) d Sebastopol 10.10 (70)
MELTON completed a deceptively comfortable victory at home against Sebastopol despite a one-man forward clinic from the Burra’s Michael Powell.
Powell booted six majors and marked everything in sight as his side threw everything it had at the Bloods but still failed to come up with a winning score.
Melton midfielder Ryan Davis tore apart the second half and scythed through packs to break lines and penetrate deep into the forward line with alarming regularity.
Bacchus Marsh 22.17 (149) d Melton South 22.17 (149)
The Cobras did as expected – win easily against Melton South at Bacchus Marsh.
They opened up with 7.7 in the opening quarter, while keeping the Panthers scoreless and it was game over.
Cam Richardson kicked six goals and Jarrah Maksymow bagged four.
Sunbury 16.11 (107) d Ballarat 9.10 (64)
Sunbury ended a three-game losing streak with a must win at home.
The Lions eased away to a 29-point lead by half-time and then put the icing on gthe cale with six goals in the third term.
Jack Landt was again a sharp shooter in attack with four majors for Darley.
LADDER (round 12)
LAKE WENDOUREE 44
BACCHUS MARSH 36
REDAN 36
SUNBURY 32
NORTH BALLARAT CITY 32
DARLEY 28
East PoinT 24
Melton 24
Ballarat 16
Sebastopol 12
Melton South 4
