Armstrong’s eight leads OMs past Blacks, Blues blowout Xavs

An eight-goal haul from Al Armstrong led Old Melburnians to a stunning 56-point win against University Blacks at Sportscover Arena. OMs trailed by seven points at the first break but piled on 11 goals in the second quarter and took a 50-point lead into half time. The Blacks fought hard to reduce the margin to 28 points with four goals to one in the third term, but another seven for OMs in Q4 sealed their second win on the trot. It was Armstrong’s biggest outing for the season and he was named best on ground alongside standout performances from Nick Daish and Nick De Steiger. James Toohey starred for Blacks, while Matt O’Brien, Lachlan Huntington and Lochie Dornauf kicked two each.

University Blues claimed their biggest scalp of the season and subsequently re-entered fourth spot on the ladder with a comprehensive 74-point victory over Old Xaverians at Uni Oval. Leading by just four points at quarter time, the Blues exploded for 12 of the last 14 goals. Tim Geappen (three), Dan Batarilo (three) and leading goal kicker Kieran Harper (three) combined for nine majors, while small forward Tom Quinn returned from injury for his first game since Round 2 and kicked two. Ryan Eade was named best afield in his first outing for 2017, while Tom Williams and Campbell Lane fought hard for Xavs. The Xavs have now lost two in a row but remain in third spot on the ladder.

Old Trinity ended a three-game losing streak with a 55-point victory against Beaumaris at Banksia Reserve. After a trio of losses to the top three sides, the T’s were looking to return to the winners’ list, and a seven-goal to four opening half gave them a 21-point buffer at the main break. They hammered the point home with a further 10 goals to five in the second half and had 30 scoring shots to the Sharks’ 15. No bests or goals for the T’s had been released prior to publication, but Scott Braithwaite continued his stellar form for the Sharks. Drew Kelly kicked three of his side’s nine goals as the Sharks continue their search for the first win of the year.

St Bedes/Mentone Tigers ended De La Salle’s unbeaten three-game run with a 21-point win at Brindisi Street Oval earlier today. In a low-scoring affair (66-45), the Tigers came from eight points down at the first break and kicked eight of the next 12 goals.  Luke Velluto top-scored with three goals for the home side, while James Tyquin continued his standout form as the best player on the ground. David Convery impressed for De La, who now sit sixth after falling below both Uni Blues and Old Trinity on the ladder. It was the Tigers’ second win for the year and they sit eighth.