CRESWICK seniors staged a 14-goal turnaround from an earlier season encounter, but Beaufort was still able to win convincingly.
Beaufort ran out an easy 12-goal winner over the Wickers.
Creswicks' improvement came from Ben Moran, who kept spearhead Simpson under control, and ruckman Jamie Wiese, who rucked unchanged for 100 minutes. Wiese had more effect as the game wore on in attempting to break the Beaufort clearance stranglehold.
Beaufort was too strong aerially and ran Creswick ragged towards the end of each quarter. Many goals were conceded in red time - two were put through after the siren.
The first quarter into to the breeze saw Beaufort lead by five goals, despite Steve Patterson's amazing 12 possession quarter and cameos from Hofman and Bensen.
A front-on reported bump in the second quarter to the head of Tim Rieniets, who had started in sparkling form, spelt the end of his game.
With Smith also off the field with a game-ending injury, the ask was a big one for the Wickers.
Caleb Hepworth, Jake Hepworth and Matt Antonio were instrumental in Creswick's resurgence and shortly after half-time there was just three goals in it. However, when Beaufort scored it's first major of the quarter after 13 minutes, the floodgates opened and five more Beaufort
goals blew the game apart.
Coach Kerr lambasted the team at the last change but he was talking to weary warriors who were trying their darndest against a more skilled, drilled and physically able team.
Once again Creswick was competitive for the first half of the last quarter, kicking three goals, but overrun by the end.
Ash Coxall found his feet after appearing to be lost early while Ben Murray carried on a four quarter effort with strength, purpose and an appetite for challenge.
The standout player for the day was Clint Robinson. He was the centre of defensive efforts in the first and third quarter and the main focus for attack in the second and fourth. He took a host of marks, made many clearances and kicked multiple goals in a lion hearted effort.
Score: Creswick 8.4.52 lost to Beaufort 18.17.115. Best: Robinson, Weise, Murray, Griffin, Moran, Hofman, S.Hepworth.
Reserves
H OLDING a three-point lead at half-time created a false sense of security for Creswick as Beaufort controlled proceedings thereafter.
Richmond and Lowe had played well early while Shannon Curtis and Drew Mark intercepted well and created opportunities from defence.
Spencely and Blake lifted in the last term but only a solitary goal could be added.
Score: Creswick 4.11.35 lost to Beaufort 11.9.75. Best: Lowe, Curtis, Mark, Hearn.
Under-18
BETTER news for Creswick saw a solid, though uninspiring, victory over Beaufort.
The margin of 13 points was uncomfortably close after Beaufort had been goalless at half-time.
Josh Szabo was quick, dashing and resilient in defence while Cam Antonio played with skill and expectation to be a great contributor.
Jose Marshman and Cory Joynson each did wonderfully in patches with Scott Forteen an improver in defence.
Score: Creswick 6.8.44 def Beaufort 4.7.31. Best: C Hepworth, J. Antonio, J Szabo, S Ellis, B. Derek.
Under-15
FOR the third time in its last four games, a nailbiting finish ensued. Creswick led by just seven points and faced the last-quarter breeze. Beaufort goalled but the Wickers answered.
A point to Beaufort set them up for a last-gasp major but Creswick managed their own point as the siren sounded.
Score: Creswick 4.5.29 def Beaufort 3.4.22. Best: Morris Flynn, Gibson, Gervasoni, Treacy, Morgan,Millar.
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