Another scalp for Lyndale

By Paul Pickering
LYNDALE claimed another scalp in Division Two on Saturday, turning the tables on in-form Black Rock to win by five points at Barry Powell Reserve.
The Pumas came from two points down at three-quarter-time to shock the Rockers in a dramatic final term, avenging an 85-point defeat at Black Rock in May.
The lead changed hands at every break, but it was the Pumas who capitalised on their scoring opportunities in the dying minutes.
Lyndale slotted two goals from as many chances in the last quarter, while the Rockers blazed unsuccessfully to register just five behinds.
The Pumas were led by the ever-reliable Anthony Grace, ruckman Chris Briggs and skipper Tristan Caples.
Brian Grundy kicked four goals and found plenty of the footy, while Jeff Dudi continued his stellar form and Matt Keane had his best senior performance for the season.
Lyndale’s fourth win for the season was made even more impressive by Black Rock’s recent form.
The seventh-placed Rockers knocked off likely grand finalist Heatherton by 15 points the previous weekend, becoming just the second team to achieve that feat this season.
Meanwhile, Dingley pounded Caulfield by 85 points away from home on Saturday to ice top spot with a fortnight remaining in the home-and-away season.
The undefeated Dingoes surged to a 39-point lead at the first break to put the result beyond doubt, but there was no let-up as the visitors extended the margin at every change.
Makeshift spearhead Robert Mullin – Dingley’s focal point in the absence of playing-coach Adam Quinn – bagged seven goals, while Troy Lavars (two goals) was unstoppable in a best-on-ground performance.
Stefan Feehan, Tim Ford, Tolga Ayyuce and Chris Morgan were also prominent for the Dingoes.
In Division One, Springvale Districts were victimised by reigning premier St Kilda City at Newcomen Road.
The Demons could only manage two goals for the afternoon, as the rampant Saints cruised to a 117-point victory.
Coach Steve Hughes kicked one of those goals in his first appearance in the seniors this year, but his injury-hit Demons provided no resistance to the might of St Kilda City.
The Demons received useful contributions from Leighton Ross, Dean Kovacic, Damien Stark, Paul Murphy and Mark Charles.
Adam Champion also impressed on his promotion from the twos.
For the Saints, forwards Mimo Dimachki (six) and Phil Raymond (five) provided the finishing touches to the efforts of Jay Bruno and Myles Quinn further up the ground.
Springvale Districts is now in eighth position, with three wins for the season.
In Division Three, the Doveton Eagles successfully completed their mission at the navy base, brushing aside Cerberus by 59 points.
Ricky Ramsdale was the difference, booting 10 goals to keep his side’s finals hopes alive.
Steve Wright chipped in with four goals, while Will Bentley, Troy Humphries and Brett Hidgcock led the Eagles around the ground.
Meanwhile, Dandenong and Sandringham proved no match for their top-four opponents.
Dandenong lost to fourth-placed Canterbury by 179 points in a diabolical performance away from home, while second-placed Skye trounced Sandown by 153 points at Edinburgh Reserve.