Roys edge out Blues, Tonners go five from five with win over Cardinals

18 goals to five after quarter time helped Beaumaris to a commanding 88-point win against Hampton Rovers at Banksia Reserve. Daniel Gribbin starred with a bag of five, while Lachlan Boyd chipped in with four goals for the Sharks. Matthew Petering was irrepressible and named best on ground for the Sharks alongside another standout performance from Spirit of the Big V recipient, Tom Dean. Josh McPherson and Nath Smith led admirably for the Rovers. Avoiding relegation is now an unlikely task for the three-win Rovers, who will now need to win every game and rely on other results to have a chance.

A 31-point deficit at the first break was not enough as St Bedes/Mentone Tigers chased down Old Haileybury and defeated them by 23 points at Brindisi Street Oval. Seven unanswered goals in a dominant second term started the charge for the Tigers as they outscored the Bloods 11 goals to two in the final three quarters. Michael Barnes kicked three goals and took his season tally to 34 for the Tigers during their comeback, while club legend, Paul Wintle, dominated in a best-on-ground performance. Unfortunately, Old Haileybury bests and goals were not available at the time of publication.

Old Scotch fell to their fifth loss from six matches and Old Brighton made it five wins on the trot with a 38-point victory at Camberwell Sports Ground. Trailing by six points at quarter time, the Tonners nailed nine of the next 12 goals with Daniel Anthony (three), Michael Dewer (two) and Petrus Olivier (two) leading the way on the scoreboard. Hamish Graham capped off a sensational month with a BOG for the Tonners, while Jack Bull did his utmost as the number one contributor for the Cardinals. The Cardinals now fall to fourth on the Premier B ladder.

Fitzroy edged over the line in a thriller against Monash Blues, defeating them by two points at Frearson Oval and moving to third spot on the ladder. It was a battle of four v five prior to the match, and it lived up to all expectation as nether side got out to more than a nine-point lead at any break in play. Sam Baker was scintillating in a best afield display for the Roys, while Gerard Gillian emulated Baker’s feats for the Blues. The Roys now move above both the Blues and Cardinals after losing their first four matches of the season.

Parkdale went three games clear of relegation with a 34-point win against Ajax at Gerry Green Reserve. Josh Manning was the match-winner for the Vultures, booting five goals in a best-on-ground performance and his most damaging game for the season.  Dean Rotenberg continued his outstanding form for the Jackers, but they remain in eighth position on the ladder and just two games clear of the Bloods.