THE SATURDAY WRAP – ROUND 9

In Premier the top of the table clash saw Old Xavs triumph to the tune of 37 points over Collegians and in doing so leapfrogged the Lions into top spot. Matt Handley kicked four and took Inner FM’s best on the ground in a tough day for forwards. The division saw the bottom four teams meet each other in virtual eight point games. St Bedes Mentone Tigers managed to hold on despite a fast finishing Caulfield Grammarians by 10 points to leave the Fielders without a win in 2012. University Blues led most of the day at home to Trinity and kicked away late to win by 25. De La Salle and Scotch both seemingly finals bound, dropped games away to St Bernards and at home to Old Carey respectively. The Panthers with their second single figure margin win in a row. 
Like the top flight, Premier B saw a top of the table clash between St Kevins and Uni Blacks. The result mirrored that of a division above with Skevs dropping their first game of the year. Kicking six straight goals is accurate but it doesn’t help when your opposition has 29 scoring shots to see the Blacks win by 63 points. Melbournians defeated Oakleigh by the same margin. Ajax won at Old Ivanhoe by seven goals, and Beaumaris kicked away early and staved off a Werribee comeback to win by 18.  In the low score of the day Old Brighton managed to hold on to defeat Old Haileybury 6.8 to 3.7. 
Rupertswood returned to the winners list defeating Old Camberwell at home by 8 points to right the ship of their season. Parkdale defeated Mazenod in the classic eight point game in the close one of the afternoon, winning by less than a kick and Mazenod will feel they let it get away,  Kicking four goals and holding the Vultures goalless to lose by 5 points. Marcellin beat Banyule by 15 points at home and PEGS raised that margin by one to defeat Monash by 16.  Hampton Rovers couldn’t stop Fitzroy on their march towards a top-two-spot, going down by 71 to leave them without a win in Premier C. 
In Division 1, Pennisula and North Old Boys both maintained the rage in pursuit of halfway honours defeating Old Mentonians (by 42) and Ormond (by 12) respectively. It’s the Pirates who have the clubhouse lead at halfway to make amends for their first loss last week. In a low scoring contest MHSOB got the 4 points against Old Geelong by 19 points to leave them half a game from the four. Glen Eira lost at home to Whitefriars by 28 and Williamston CYMS won at St Johns by the same margin. 
Bulleen Templstowe are top after 9 rounds of football in Division 2, but we made to work hard for their 17 point win at South Melbourne. Prahran Assumption redeemed for their slip last week, defeating La Trobe – who remain winless – by 57 points. Therry Penola defeated St Mary’s Salesian by 10 points and Old Paradians defeated Monash Gryphons by 43. 
Division 3 saw ladder leader Yarra Valley suffer their second blemish of 2012, suffering at the hands of Aquinas by 9 points.  Ivanhoe joined them equal top with a thumping 57 point win over Richmond Central. Elsternwick lost by 8 points at home to UHS-VU. Kew won at St Francis Xavier by the same margin of 8. While Old Westbourne snuck home against a resurgent Hawthorn AFC by 9. In the final game it was Albert Park who were triumphant over Power House by 28 points. 
South Mornington did what St Kevins and Collegians couldn’t do and remain the sole undefeated senior team in the VAFA. They accounted for Swinburne by 44 points. North Brunswick held on at home to win by 7 points against Manningham Cobras. Point Cook had a good trip to West Brunswick and can enjoy a 5 goal win tonight. Eley Park defeated Box Hill by 79 points, and Mount Lillydale beat Chadstone by 73.