SATURDAY SKINNY

AJAX tired late and fell to Rupertswood in a Premier C thriller at Smorgon Oval, while Caulfield Grammarians overcame a slow start in Premier B to beat St Kevin’s. Banyule,Glen Eira, Prahran Assumption and SFX all remained unbeaten.
In Premier, St Bede’s/Mentone Tigers took over first place after finishing strongly to edge Collegians. The Seasiders’ early inaccuracy put them in soem jeopardy but their 3.8 in the final stanza did the trick anyway. Old Carey topped Xavs at Toorak Park, with the Red ‘n’ Blacks woeful from set shots. The Panthers had a lead of six goals at one stage before Xavs came late, but too late. Old Melburnains hung on at Marles to beat Trinity by two points. Andrew Lowcock booted five to celbrate his 200th and to hoisrt Uni Blues over Old Scotch. A seven goal third term from the Varsity did the damage. Old Haileybury meets De La Salle tomorrow at Sportscover, beginning 1:20pm.
In Premier B, Andrew Merrington booted five for St Bernard’s, not enough to lift them over Old Brighton. Marcellin could not go the distance with Oakleigh, the Krushers’ finish too strong. St Kevin’s began brightly enough but fell to a slick Caulfield Grammarians. Beaumaris torched Hampton Rovers in the Sandhills Showdown, while Uni Blacks were too strong for Old Ivanhoe.
A shot just before the bell went wide and the Jackers went under to Rupo. David Fayman and Jake Lew kicked five each for the vanquished. Nat Black kicked six as Werribee Districts smashed Mazenod. Fitzroy had a strong win over Monash Blues, while seve from Teghan Henderson saw Old Essendon home over MHSOB, who had five from James Tran. Old Camberwell surprised Ormond
Div 1 leader Banyule was rarely threatened by the Oggers, the Friars clipped the Vultures, Dave Cochrane slotted seven and Ben Lane five to see Mentonians safe over the Bullants. Josh Vanderloo’s six and James Wong’s five saw Willy get the points over Peninsula, for whom Jimmy Coghlan drilled eight. Scott Sleep kicked six and Todd Patterson five as NOBs won comfortably over Paradians.
Unbeaten Div 2 table-toppers Glen Eira had seven from Tom Paterson and five apiece from Glenn Boyd and Mark “Bangers” Demashki as the Saints belted the Turtles. La Trobe came late again, but arrived on time, beating SMD. Aquinas stormed home but missed the bus as St Mary’s Salesian’s straight shooting won the day. Jake George’s seven was enough to see Therry home over Emmaus St Leo’s. St John’s thumped Old Westbourne with Aaron Abela nailing six and Matt Nicholson five.
In Div 3, Ivanhoe slipped home against West Brunswick. Yarra Valley outclassed Monash Gryphons with Ryan Pollard nailing five for the ‘Rangers. Kew surprised at Mt Lilydale, with Andy Brazzale kicking six. Praharan Assumption couldn’t shake Power House but took the points down by the lake. Dave Tremewen kicked five as Hawthorn clipped UHS-VU and Justin Hunter kicked five as Elsternwick stunned Albert Park.
St Francis Xavier won their shootout with Box Hill North, who got seven from Dan Penny. The Razorbacks squeaked home by a point over North Brunswick. Six goals from Cobra Scott McPherson wasn’t enough to see Manningham home over South Mornington. Eley Park walloped Point Cook, with David “Sweet Music” Viola kicking six. Richmond Central slashed Chadstone as Chris Traeger  kicked ten.