Streak over as Jackas pipped
AJAX has suffered its first defeat of the season in a heart-stopper against Beaumaris, losing 8.15 (63) to 9.11 (65).
AJAX has suffered its first defeat of the season in a heart-stopper against Beaumaris, losing 8.15 (63) to 9.11 (65).
After a last-minute winner last week, the Jackas couldn’t repeat the dose on the weekend, as Beaumaris was too strong from start to finish. Ajax had few winners, with the Kalmus brothers, Ben and Josh, both impressing, while Jarrod White battled hard in the ruck.
Warren Steinberg was the other standout for the visitors, proving solid in defence. While the side worked hard to keep its winning streak intact, turnovers and poor kicking in front of goal was the difference between the sides.
Beaumaris won more contested possessions early, and dominated the clearances from the opening bounce. The side kicked the first three goals of the game within the opening five minutes, before Ash Kalb found space in the forward 50 to kick the Jackas’ first of the game. Beaumaris capitalised on an Ajax turnover to extend its lead to five goals, but David Fayman responded, slotting the last two goals of the term.
Coach Bernie Sheehy was pleased with his side’s forward pressure, but pleaded with his charges to hit their targets by hand.
As the wind picked up in the second quarter, the players started to lift their work rate and intensity. Ben Kalmus and Fayman, kicked the only two goals for the term, giving the Jackas the slenderest of leads at the main break, but it could have been further ahead if not for some wayward goal-kicking. In the shadows of half time, Jackas veteran Mark Segal went down with a hamstring injury.
With both sides applying intensive pressure, the third term was an arm wrestle, with just two goals kicked in 30 minutes of football. Ajax had the better of the quarter, but failed to take advantage of opportunities in the forward 50, and went to three-quarter-time with a slender two-point lead.
Coach Sheehy urged his players not to “waste what’s been a good effort”, adding the game was “there for the taking”.
After missing the third term with a leg injury, Jason Israelsohn was back on the ground for the final term, and quickly goaled to extend his side’s lead. But Beaumaris responded in emphatic fashion, taking the game on and slotting three consecutive goals to wrest the lead. Josh Ludski kicked truly to give Ajax a sniff with only 30 seconds on the clock, but it wasn’t to be, as Beaumaris claimed an upset victory.
The Reserves side won their second game in a row with a hard-fought victory over Beaumaris 12.9 (81) to 11.7 (73), while the Under-19s suffered their second defeat in a row, losing a see-sawing affair against Old Mentonians 12.5 (77) to 11.13 (79).
ASHLEY SHENKER
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