Weekly Times | CAVENDISH is back on the winners’ list after Round 3 of the South West District Football League after a 45-point win against Branxholme-Wallacedale yesterday.
The Bloods bounced back from a 25-point loss to Dartmoor last week to post a 14.12 (96) to 7.9 (51) win.
The Saints stayed within striking distance until three-quarter time, when Bloods player Ross McNaughton goaled on the siren to give the team a 21-point buffer at the last change.
Branxholme-Wallacedale claimed its first win since 2014 in Round 2, but a five-goals-to-one final quarter from the Bloods put paid to the Saints hopes’ of their first back-to-back win since 2011.
McNaughton and teammate Troy Duncan kicked four goals each.
Cavendish playing coach Ben Ballinger, recruited from Hampden league club Hamilton Kangaroos, said it was good for the competition to see Branxholme-Wallacedale improve.
He said there were eight players unavailable yesterday, including fellow Kangaroos recruits Lachlan Crawford (groin injury), and Ricky Luhrs (away), but some would return for this week’s clash with reigning premier Heywood.
“We’re probably sitting about fourth I reckon. Tyrendarra, Coleraine, Dartmoor are all really good sides and Dartmoor proved that last week,” Ballinger said.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do and I think the boys are up to it, it’s just a matter of working hard to get there.”
● BENDIGO Football League side Strathfieldsaye has been beaten for the first time since 2014.
The two-time reigning premier was toppled by Golden Square, 12.7 (79) to 7.13 (55), bringing to an end a 39-game winning streak with the Storm’s last loss dating back two years.
With Castlemaine defeating Kyneton yesterday by seven points, Golden Square is the only side undefeated after Round 3.
● CUDGEWA steamrolled Bullioh by 62 points yesterday in the Upper Murray Football League.
The Blues’ raced out to a 38-point quarter-time lead and locked in a 3-0 start to the season with a 20.12 (132) to 11.4 (70) win.
Cudgewa’s Jeremy Grove and Kiale Crowther kicked nine goals between them yesterday.
● ROB Wallace kicked two goals in a team best performance yesterday as Yarragon defeated Boolarra by 40 points in the Mid Gippsland league.
Newborough was also a Round 4 winner after holding off last year’s runner-up Yallourn-Yallourn North by three goals.
Reigning premier Yinnar remains undefeated after four rounds following a 77-point win against Thorpdale.