Xavs return to form & run over T’s, Panthers push Lions

University Blacks’ rich vein of form continued as they made it four wins in a row with an 82-point victory against Old Melburnians at Uni Oval. A four-goal to nil opening term paved the way for the Blacks, who maintained their stranglehold throughout as they kept OMs to just two goals for the match. Lachlan Huntington and Lochy Dornauf combined for six goals and Jordan Quaile registered two in a best-on-ground performance. Tom Paule and Cameron Banfield kicked the only two majors to the OMs in their lowest scoring performance of the season. The Blacks climb to third spot on the William Buck Premier ladder as the form side of the competition.

Collegians were pushed for the full four quarters in their match against Old Carey, eventually running out 31-point winners at Harry Trott Oval. Leading by 15 points at the last break, the Lions kicked 2.5 and kept the Panthers to just the one behind on their way to a fourth win for the year. Tom Penberthy was dominant in the ruck and joined Will Johnson and Billy Riddle (four goals) as the Lions best, while Julian Rowe (five) recorded his strongest performance for the season as the Panthers best player alongside Sam Cust and Ben Smithwick. The Lions remain in eighth spot on the ladder and join Old Xaverians and St Kevin’s on four wins, while the Panthers creep closer to registering their first of year.

Old Xaverians returned to the winner’s column with a stunning 14-point come-from-behind victory against Old Trinity at Daley Oval. Trailing by 23 points at quarter time, the Xavs gradually fought their way back into the match and hit the front at the right time in the fourth. The margin could have been bigger had it not been for inaccurate kicking in front of goal – 8.4 vs 8.18. Tim Dynon and Lachlan Howe were supreme for the Xavs and Nick Wynne continued his sensational form in defence, while Matt Handley and Matt Margin kicked two goals each. Luke Pacconi dominated down back for the T’s and Seb Nicolosi put through four majors in his best performance since returning from injury in Round 6. The T’s have now lost two in a row but remain on top of the ladder, while the Xavs sit sixth and just one win outside the four.

De La Salle held on to defeat University Blues by two points in a match fit for two top four William Buck Premier units at Waverly Oval today. Trailing by 12 points at the half, De La fought back to within one point at three quarter time, before edging their way to the front when the final siren sounded. Jake Williams was as dominant as ever for De La and BOG, while Antony Forato regularly got first hand to the ball in the ruck and played a major role in his side’s sixth win for the year. Dan Keely, Sam Pickett and Adrian Indovino combined for six of their side’s 12 goals. Tom Quinn snagged two on his way to being named the Blues’ best, while Jeremy Mugavin and Will Cuningham continued their standout form. Despite hyperextending his knee last weekend and subsequently donning an abundance of leg strapping, star midfielder, Marshall Rippon, ran riot and kicked three from the Blues’ midfield.

A six-goal final term has helped St Kevin’s to their third win on the trot as they defeated St Bernard’s by 12 points at the Snakepit this afternoon. Troy McMaster kicked four in his first game for the year, while Steven Salopek was named BOG. Tom Sullivan starred for the Snow Dogs and the Hughes twins continued their strong form across half back and the wing. Nick Cooke kicked three and took his season tally to 10. The Snow Dogs are ninth on the ladder, while SKOB are seventh.

Photo © Ari Hatzis