Blacks, OMs celebrate first wins in Round 5 of William Buck Premier

Eight unanswered goals in the third term helped University Blacks secure their first win for the season earlier today, defeating St Bedes/Mentone Tigers by 33 points at Uni Oval. The Blacks trailed by 23 points at half time before flicking the switch and piling on 11 of the last 13 goals. Lachlan Huntington and Harry Allen were front and centre of the Blacks’ second half charge, while James Tyquin (one) continued his standout form as the best of the Tigers. The Blacks rise from 10^th to eighth but hold the sixth best percentage and the Tigers fall to ninth after back-to-back outings at Uni Oval.

Old Melburnians joined Uni Blacks for their first taste of victory in 2017 after they held off University Blues by six points at Sportscover Arena. Led by Nick De Steiger and Tom Paule again, the OMs burst out of the blocks with nine scoring shots to two in the first term before the Blues hit back and held a two-point lead at the main break. OMs regained composure in the third and held on with Cam Banfield, Angus Clarke and Stu Watson kicking two goals each. Connor Lappin continued his outstanding start to the year and was named the Blues’ best while Kieran Harper claimed top spot on the goal kicking leader board with his four majors taking his season tally to 15 and three ahead of second place. OMs moved to seventh on the William Buck Premier ladder on the back of the win and the Blues fall below De La in fifth.

St Kevin’s drew first blood against Old Xaverians this season when they came from five goals down at three quarter time and stormed home for an 11-point win at TH King Oval. Despite trailing the accurate Xavs and lacking momentum at the end of the third, SKOB took control with 12 scoring shots to one solitary one behind in the final term. Henry Parkes (three) and Jay Schulz (three) combined for six goals, while Ben Dowd, Steven Salopek and Callum Matheson ran riot as SKOB’s best players. Dowd’s clearance work in the first half was elite and Salopek took numerous contested grabs as he followed up his standout performance from last week against the T’s. Brendan Goss returned to form for Xavs and kicked seven goals in the first three quarter and Campbell Lane was named their best. Goss’ haul alongside three goals from Matt Handley takes them to 12 goals and equal second on the leader board. SKOB fall to second despite the win and Xavs remain third on the ladder and a game clear of De La Salle.

De La Salle made it three wins from their last three starts as they accounted for Beaumaris by 23 points at Waverley Oval. With 32 scoring shots to 19, the margin could have been wider as De La led by as much as 39 at half time. Jason Tutt has taken to William Buck Premier wih ease and starred in another best-on-ground performance, while Sean Fisher kicked three goals and made it 10 in three weeks. Mitchell Howes (one) was named as the most dominant Shark as they now fall to 10^th following the Blacks’ first win against the Tigers. De La enter the four for the first time this season on the back of their third successive victory. Former Saint Sam Fisher debuted for the Sharks and will add elite experience to the line-up moving forward.

Seven goals to two in the opening term allowed Collegians to maintain their unbeaten run as they defeated Old Trinity by 33 points at Daley Oval. After trailing by 28 points at the first break, the T’s worked away at the margin and cut it to 15 at the half before the Lions regained control and sent through seven of the last 11 goals. No goal kickers or bests had been provided by time of publication.