By DAVID NAGEL
Nepean League
DEVON Meadows has started the second half of its season on a high with a 107-point thrashing of Tyabb at Glover Reserve.
But before we get too excited about the Panthers’ form, it‘s worth remembering that the Yabbies had been towelled up by 224 and 240 points at their last two starts.
The Panthers took their time to gain some real ascendency, leading by just three goals at quarter time before an 8.5 to 0.0 second term showed the chasm that exists between the struggling Yabbies and the rest of the competition this year.
Playing coach Glenn Michie kicked five for the winners, with Dylan Hand and Troy Aust chiming in with four apiece. Former Tooradin star Beau Miller was joined by Jayden Sullivan and Gavin Kerr as the Panthers’ best.
Pearcedale’s visit to Greg Beck Oval on Saturday was going along swimmingly until three-quarter time, before the Dales succumbed to Frankston Bombers by 10 points.
Harrison Prior, Ben Mitchell and Dylan Hoare had worked the Dales into a winning position at the final break, before the Bombers kicked 4.7 to 3.2 to secure a hard-earned victory.
Basil Sibosado kicked three, and Lachlan Marshall and Michael Williams two each for the Dales, while former Hawthorn player Beau Muston kicked two to be the only multiple contributor for the winners.
Rosebud has announced itself as a genuine premiership prospect with an emphatic 40-point win over Hastings at Rosebud.
The Buds, with Greg Bentley (4 goals) in red-hot form, increased their margin at each change before a five goal to two final-quarter put the icing on the cake. Jason Bristow (3 goals) and Sean Downie were also fantastic for the home side.
In the final game, Somerville consolidated its place in the top five with a 77-point victory over a struggling Crib Point.
Ladder: Rye 32, Rosebud 32, Hastings 28, Somerville 28, Red Hill 24. Outside the top-five are; Sorrento 20, Dromana 16, Devon Meadows 12, Frankston 12, Crib Point 8, Pearcedale 8, Tyabb 0.
