SATURDAY SKINNY

De La Salle revived its finals chances with a fighting win over Old Xaverians at Waverley Park today and received a double bonus when Old Carey was beaten by St Bede’s/Mentone Tigers at Brindisi Street and top side Collegians squashed Uni Blues. DLS trails Old Carey by half a game and Xavs and Uni Blues, who meet next week, by just a game and a half. In another intriguing result, Old Haileybury indicated it will fight all the way to R18 by tossing Old Scotch at Camberwell. OMs and Old Trinity play tomorrow at Sportscover. In near perfect weather, only the Tigers managed to kick 100 points for the afternoon with Xavs managing only one goal after the half in a lacklustre effort.

In Premier B, Caulfield Grammarians came from behind to defeat a brave St Kevin’s by a point, while a persistent and courageous Hampton Rovers fell to Oakleigh at Warrawee Park. Andrew Merrington kicked six to see St Bernard’s home in a do-or-die effort against Uni Blacks, Old Brighton continued its streak and grabbed second spot with a hard-fought win over Beauy at Beach Road. Owen Weatherley saw Old Ivanhoe home with five goals against an energetic Marcellin. The ladder shows St Bernard’s in eighth, just a game outside the four

Premier C featured big wins to the topweights. Jake Lew booted five as the Jackers beat the Monders, while Werribee Districts kicked 200 against the ‘Ashes, with just over half its goals coming from Andrew Cunningham (ten) and Aaron Taylor six. Dan Flaherty snagged five as the Dons beat Rupo, while Rees Thomas got five for the Nodders, who demolished the Unicorns. The game of the day was at Gordon Barnard, where the Wellers sneaked by Fitzroy. Either the Ashes or the Roys can still make the four, while either could still be relegated.

Division 1 leaders Banyule whacked NOBSPC, with Adam Barclay snaring eight and Hayden Dillon five. The Oggers edged Paradians, Bulleen Temp surprised a recently hot Old Mentonians, giving the Ants their first victory of the season, while Jimmy Coghlan added five as the in-form Pirates paced Willy CYs. Lachy Oakley kicked seven in the Vultures’ important win over the Friars. Parkdale, Whitefriars and Willy are all square and fighting for second spot.

St Mary’s Salesian pressed a wayward St John’s, Glen Eira got home in a tightish tussle with Eltham, Glenn Boyd kicking five. Therry rumbled to a massive victory over Aquinas, kicking ten n the final stanza. Matty Costello kicked eleven and Justin Crotty five in the carnage. Nick Robin and Dylan Kelson had twin Michelles as the Animals celebrated their fortieth at Old Westbourne’s expense. La Trobe was way too strong for SMD.

Justin “Big Game” Hunter slammed ten as Elsternwick surprised the Gryphs. Pete Cristoforo and Matt “Georgie” Pell had five apiece as the top-ranked Four Blues belted West Brunswick. Ryan Close notched fie as Ivanhoe created more trouble for UHS-VU and the Cidermen had a much needed win over the Bankers. Yarra Valley nailed Power House as Russ Yeo kicked five for the victors. Kew beat Hawthorn, finishing the stroner after an even three quarters. Four clubs are locked on four wins at the bottom rung.

In Div 4, Point Cook slapped Box Hill North, with Mark Pozzuto kicking six and Dan Burton five. North Brunswick got eight from Pat Notaro, enough to beat the Cobras who had five from Scott McPherson. Matt Blackmore kicked seven in South Mornington’s important win over Eley Park. Ben Spencer kicked seven as SFX hosed off the Stationmasters’ threat, while Chris Kilmartin’s ten was a feature of the Razorbacks’ pounding of Chaddy.