Mines Rovers hold on in last-quarter thriller against Railways

Mines Rovers’ hopes of a top-two finish to the Goldfields Football League’s qualifying series are alive and well after they kicked five goals in a rousing final quarter that lifted them to victory over Railways on Saturday by a point, 12.8 (80) to 12.7 (79), at Digger Daws Oval.

The Diorites trailed at half-time and three-quarter-time.

But spurred on in forward Nick Reghenzani’s 150th game, they cashed-in on their forward entries in the run home with a largely efficient 5.2 while holding on for a seventh win and edging within a game of second place.

Reghenzani was important in a classic last quarter slog — initially with his mark and handpass that set the table for player-coach Sam Stubbs’ booming long-range goal that cut the margin to six points.

And moments later, he kicked an all-important goal that levelled the scores.

At the other end of the ground, Trent Reed played a similar role for Railways with his clever snap out of traffic for his third of the game, restoring the lead.

Every possession then became crucial that sparked Mines Rovers — initially through Silver Yousif, who ran into an open goal to again level the scores.

It was followed-up by Charlie Scafidi’s contested mark and goal that put the blue-and-whites ahead.

And a forced behind moments later proved crucial to the outcome when Railways’ Gerald Ugle goalled on the run.

Reghenzani’s bid for a second goal of the quarter just missed, but it gave the reigning premiers the lead by two points and came into play on Railways’ next venture inside their forward 50m arc that ended with a forced behind.

Trailing by a point, Railways had one last roll of the dice with a dump kick in the dying seconds but the Diorites’ Matt Braham took a saving mark at half-back.

Stubbs and Yousif each kicked three goals for Mines Rovers, and Amar Elnour finished with two — both important conversions late in the second term that included one after the half-time siren.

Stubbs, who returned to the side after a hamstring strain, praised the group’s fighting qualities in a tense final 20 minutes.

“I thought we showed a lot of fight and grit, just not to give up at any stage,” Stubbs said.

“To trail at three-quarter-time and then kick five in the last quarter was pretty nice — they showed effort which is all I had asked of them, especially in Nick’s 150th (because) he always gives 100 per cent every week.

“It was great that we were able to grind it out and stay at it, and everyone seemed to pull-up well.

“We’ve given ourselves a look, and maybe this can be a kick start for the back end of the season when we get our act together, get everyone on the park and hopefully stay in contention for that top-two position.”

Despite the loss, Railways retained second spot with eight wins and player-coach Lachie Gilbert adopted a philosophical approach.

“These things happen, but it’s an enjoyable competition — just knowing that you have to turn up, week-in and week-out, and not be that little bit off,” Gilbert said.

“I felt that all game to be honest — that perhaps we had a bit more play, but they were more efficient going forward and just used it better at times.”

Jordon Reid also kicked three goals for Railways.

Ladder:

Boulder 36 points; Railways 32; Mines Rovers 28; Kalgoorlie 16; Kambalda 0.