William Buck Premier Rd 11 – Panthers, Cust run over Xavs in thriller

By Nick Armistead

St Bernard’s solidified their position at the top of the table, backing up last weeks’ win over Old Trinity with a 116-point annihilation of Beaumaris at Banksia Reserve. After an even first term, in which only three points separated the two sides, Bernard’s piled on 5.4 to 1.1 in the second to take control of the match and head into the main break with a 30-point lead. Proceedings did not improve after the half-time break for the ninth-placed Sharks, as they could only muster one more goal while conceding 14 more in a dominant display from the Bernard’s forwards. Tom Sullivan kicked five in a best-on-ground performance for the winning side, while Chad Jones contributed four of his own.

University Blacks climbed into the top four with a comfortable 20-point win against Old Scotch at Camberwell Sports Ground this afternoon. A five goal to one opening quarter was the difference between the two sides, with the Cardinals outscoring the Blacks 61-52 in the final three quarters. Alastair Robbins continued his good form in front of the big sticks with four goals for the Blacks, while Samuel Barnett starred for the Cardinals with four goals of his own.

Old Trinity took no time to return the winners’ column with a 59-point win against Collegians at Daley Oval. A 15-goal second half was the catalyst for the T’s win, with Edward Weatherson the main destroyer with four majors. Despite the blowout win, the T’s remain second to St Bernard’s on the ladder, while the Lions remain seventh with five wins for the season.

De La Salle continued their midyear resurgence with an upset 30-point win against University Blues at Melbourne University. Sitting 26 points apiece at quarter-time, De La kicked 3.4 to the Blues’ 1.2 to claim a handy 14-point buffer at the main break. With standout performances from Antony Forato and Matthew Fieldsend, De La were able to add eight goals to five in the second half and claim their second win in a row. The win lifts De La off the bottom of the William Buck Premier ladder, while the loss causes the Blues to fall one spot down to fifth.

Five last quarter goals to nil helped Old Carey run over the top of Old Xaverians in an eight-point come-from-behind victory at Xavier College. Trailing by 20 points at the final break, the Panthers’ defenders stood tall in the last term to hold the Xavs to four behinds, while two goals in the last five minutes at the other end sealed the match. Sam Cust was judged best afield for the Panthers, while Matthew Handley did his utmost to help the Xavs hold on with four goals.