Premier B Rd 11 – Win propels Redlegs to outright second

By Nick Armistead

St Kevins Old Boys continue to flex their muscle atop the Premier B ladder after belting St Bedes/Mentone Tigers to the tune of 92 points at St Kevins College. In what was tipped to be the match of the round, the battle of the top two sides fizzled following an eight-goal to two second quarter in favour of ladder leaders. Former Port Adelaide star Steven Salopek was the best player on the ground, while Stephen Gilham continued his red-hot form with four goals. The loss was brutal for the Tigers as they fall two spots on the ladder following wins to Old Melburnians and Old Brighton.

Hampton Rovers withstood a courageous second half comeback to hold on and defeat Mazenod by 12 points at Central Reserve Oval. Trailing by 36 points at the main break, Mazenod fought hard to reduce the deficit with a six goal to two second half, but ultimately fell short against the higher-placed Rovers. Daniel Corp was named best for the Rovers, who now jump into fifth position on the ladder.

A goalless first half from Fitzroy has gifted AJAX their fifth win for the season as they ran out 48-point winners at Gary Smorgon Oval. Heading into the main break nine goals down, the Roys actually outscored the Jackers in the second half 4.7 to 4.1. Jake Lew was the star for the Jackers, kicking six of their 13 goals.

Old Brighton inflicted an old fashioned flogging unto Caulfield Grammarians, kicking 27 goals on their way to a 108-point win at Glenhuntly Oval. Boasting 14 separate goal-kickers, the Tonners added 15 second half majors to the 12 they kicked in the first. Jon Perrett was the best for the Tonners, while William Barker played his heart out for the losing side. The win propels the Tonners above St Bedes/Mentone Tigers and into third position on the ladder.

Old Melburnians now sit outright second on the Premier B ladder following an 87-point victory against Parkdale Vultures at Junction Oval. Leading by four points at quarter time, the Redlegs piled on 18 goals to five in the remaining three quarters, thanks in large to Al Armstrong’s five majors and a best-on-ground performance from Sam Gibbons. The loss sees the Vultures fall from eighth to ninth on the ladder, with a percentage of 62.67.