Sharks celebrate first win of 2017, Lions, Blues can’t be split

Beaumaris held strong during an enthralling final five minutes and recorded their first win of the 2017 season, defeating Old Trinity by six points at Daley Oval. Leading by 17 points at three quarter time, the Sharks kicked two goals in the final term and held the T’s to four despite the wind advantage. When the home side pressed late via standout performances from Anthony Scott, Brendan Iezzi and Callum Pohl, the Sharks’ backline stood tall and repeatedly clunked contestant marks in the defensive 50.  Benjamin McLean kicked three goals and was best afield for the Sharks, while Stephen Milne recorded three of his own while playing in an outstanding one-on-one battle with Luke Pacconi. Harry Tinney kicked three goals for the T’s and Pohl registered his two in the final term, but it wasn’t enough as the T’s slumped to their 11^th loss of the season.

Collegians and University Blues played out a thrilling tie at Harry Trott Oval, with both sides ending their Round 14 clash 54-apiece. The Blues led by 19 points at the final break, but 3.7 to one goal in the fourth helped the Lions secure their second lot of two points for the year. Accuracy over the course of the day allowed the Lions to stay in the match, finishing with 7.12 to the Blues’ 6.18. Courtney Hylton and Nick Dixon were best afield for the Lions, while Jeremy Taylor continued his stunning mid-season form for the Blues and was named the 96.5 Inner FM Man of the Match. Both sides remain second and third on the William Buck Premier Men’s ladder, with the Blues now just two premiership points ahead of De La Salle in fourth.

De La Salle secured their place in the top four after they recorded a thrilling one-point win over University Blacks at the Uni Oval. De La led at every break but were forced to dig deep when the Blacks came in the fourth with 2.3 to 1.2. Jacob Gotch kicked two goals and was best afield for De La for the second time in three matches, while Ed Clinch and Tom Humphrey impressed in the difficult conditions. Mitch Carney continued his outstanding recent form with three goals for the Blacks alongside standout displays from Harry Allen and Hugh Curnow. The win leaves De La in fourth spot and half a game ahead of Old Xaverians, while the Blacks remain in eighth and less than two percent above the T’s in ninth.

11 unanswered goals in the fourth term helped St Kevin’s to a stunning 21-point win against Old Melburnians at Sportscover Arena. Trailing all day and after kicking just one goal in the first three quarters, the ladder leaders exploded in the final term with Connor Ross, Will Coates and Lachie Sullivan leading the charge. Zach Ginies, Lachlan McKenzie, Shaun Kennedy and Sullivan each kicked two goals. Matt Thomas and Cam Banfield were dominant for an OM’s outfit who led by 45 points at the first break. The loss means OM’s fall two and a half games outside the four.

Old Xaverians continued their hunt to re-enter the top four as they defeated St Bedes/Mentone Tigers by 92 points at Toorak Park. The Xavs had 10 individual goal kickers among their 15 majors, while keeping the Tigers to just two. Matt Margin returned to the line-up with five goals in a best-on-ground performance for Xavs, while Ted Richards kicked two. Michael Barnes and Stu Wines fought valiantly for the Tigers but they were always going to find it difficult when the margin stretched to 41 points by half time. Xavs remain half a game behind De La while the Tigers are six premiership points ahead of the Blacks and T’s.