By JARROD POTTER
KEYSBOROUGH couldn’t hold off the higher ranked Berwick, knocked off 31-70 in pool-like conditions at Rowley Allen Reserve.
The Burra, led by Ryan Goodes, Glen Hawthorn and Michael Downie, gained more of the ball through Chris Bryan’s dominance in the ruck but couldn’t penetrate the Wickers’ defence – generating only four-goals-seven throughout the match, including a goalless first half.
Berwick paced all over the ground then crushed the Burra’s spirit in the third quarter, building a five-goal half-time lead into a 58-point cushion at the final break.
The only possible negative for the visitors came in the final term where a drop in intensity saw their percentage take what could be a critical hit when finals spots are handed out in late August.
Mark Quiambao kicked two for the Burra which needs to regroup quickly before heading to Starling Road for a winnable game against ROC.SFL – DIVISION 2 and 3
Springvale Districts
Billy Athanasopoulos kicked four, Gavin Vassallo snuck in three while Justin Doust, Matt Campbell and Kris Merz were in the best. Springvale Districts sits fourth on the Division 2 ladder and faces Bentleigh away on Saturday.
Lyndale took the points over Black Rock in a 10.4 (64) to 8.7 (55) squeaker.
Trevor Kumetaitis remains the man with the golden boot in SFL Division 3, adding six to raise his goal tally to 47, equal first with Carrum’s Joel Dalton.
Matt Stuart jagged three while Damien Wilsnach and Chris Egan were best afield.
A low-scorer didn’t benefit Dandenong, downed by seven points by Ashwood.
David Barrie snared two goals while Ryan Forsyth, Daniel Atkin and David Behan were in the best.
Sandown was belted in sloppy conditions 5.8 (38) to 13.10 (88) by premiership favourites Doveton Eagles, with James Tate bagging two goals while Jake Chapman was best afield.
Dandenong and Lyndale remain in the finals equation – in fourth and fifth respectively separated by a game, while Sandown sits seventh and will need a fair bit of luck to bridge their two game gap.
Lyndale face Carrum Patterson Lakes, Dandenong hosts Hallam – with reserves player Mick Reid playing his 500th match at 11.45am – and Mount Waverley hosts Sandown.
VAFA – CLUB XVIII (3)
Masala couldn’t hold off the fleet-footed UHS-VU, downed 2.4 (16) to the home side’s 9.10 (64).
Prakash Kailasanathan and Ben Nugent snared goals for the Tigers while Ryan Harrop and the perennial troopers David Crkvenac and Wayne McMahon were also among the best.
Masala face Kew at 11.40pm at Victoria Park, Kew.
VWFL
St John’s secured a nine-point win in atrocious conditions on Sunday over Seaford.
Bronwyn Rogan nailed three crucial goals to be best afield while Shannon Bell and Elizabeth Whitfield also impressed.
Keysborough smashed Cranbourne considering the environment with a 7.6 (48) to 3.1 (19) win.
The Burra kicked ahead via Jaimee Lambert (four goals) while Kylie Williamson and Rebecca Ando were also in the best.
Keysborough faces Whitehorse at home on Sunday while St John’s travel to face premiership aspirant Scoresby in a first versus third battle.
