THE bottom three teams all missed chances to close the gap on their higher ranked opponents in Round 10 action of Division 3.
With a plethora of recent high-profile recruits, Banyule was fancied to defeat second-placed Watsonia at A.K. Lines Reserve.
But the Saints benefited from having more match-fit players and kicked eight goals to three after half time to draw away for a 17-point victory.
Saint Tyson Darley followed up his previous week’s good form with another excellent effort. Compatriots Andrew Kidd and Andrew Bennett each kicked three majors – with Bennett hitting the scoreboard in each game since Round 3.
Charles Ross produced his best game for the year and was named among the best for the Bears.
St Mary’s failed by the narrowest of margins against Reservoir in a thriller at Whatmough Park. Kent Beaumont kicked a late goal for Reservoir to put his side in front for the first time since the opening stanza.
Daniel Dober was a focal point up forward for St Mary’s and finished with six goals, while Nicholas Daisley has been among the best for the past two weeks. Jason Dal Santo and Danny O’Sullivan worked well together to keep the Mustangs in the game.
The contest was a mirror image of their Round 4 clash when the Mustangs led virtually all day – but were overrun late by the Burra.
St Mary’s coach Con Borg would be extremely disappointed that his side has lost the past two games against top four teams – each by less than a goal.
Coming off the bye, Epping was expected to comfortably account for the winless Heidelberg West at Epping Recreation Reserve.
But the Blues had often started games poorly and there was some concern about how they may begin against the Hawks. These fears were quickly laid to rest when they got off to a flyer and led by six goals at half time.
Epping put the game out of reach in the third term with seven goals to nil and a triple-figure margin looked possible. But Heidelberg West dominated the final term – kicking 6.4 to 2.1 – when their best players entertained the crowd.
Kyl Ewart shrugged off a third term injury concern and booted three final term goals. His seven for the day saw him take back the lead on the goal kicking table. His 36 majors pushed him six ahead of Chris Chilcott, who kicked six at the other end.
Jake Grimshaw capped off a good day when he capitalised on an Epping defensive error and kicked truly from near the boundary just inside 50m.
“We played in patches too much,” Heidelberg West captain Dan Bailey said after the 57-point loss.
Leigh Judd continued his good 2015 form for Epping and was assisted by Jaedyn Kearney and Thomas Hughes.
“We required 22 contributors and they performed for us today,” Epping coach Steve Power said.
Epping can draw level with South Morang on seven wins when the Blues travel to Mill Park Lakes Reserve in Round 11 action.
The Lions’ only loss for the year was in their Round 3 clash at Epping Recreation Reserve in which both Chris Chilcott and Simon Crump booted five for their respective teams.
The Blues jumped to an early lead and South Morang never looked likely in that clash. The Lions would be keen to begin the game better than on ANZAC Day – especially as they are coming off the bye.
Heidelberg West will be hosting Watsonia at Heidelberg Park. The Hawks will be hoping they can begin the game like they finished Round 10.
The Saints will either draw level with South Morang or move a game clear of Epping if they can win this game, in which they are likely to start as strong favourites.
The Hawks led by nine points in the final quarter of their Round 5 encounter – before the Saints overran them to win by 21 points.
Banyule hosts Reservoir at Beverley Road Reserve in a vital match. The Bears urgently need to string wins together in order to keep in touch with the top four teams.
The Mustangs can move three games clear of fifth-placed St Mary’s with a win. Both teams look stronger than in their Round 5 tussle, when home side Reservoir led all day and hung on to win by a kick.
