SYDENHHAM/Hillside’s second attempt at defeating newly formed local rival Taylors Lakes failed at the weekend as the Lions strode to a 51-point victory.
In the first meeting between the sides at Lionheart Reserve, the Sharks were outplayed and overtaken by the Lions on the Essendon District Football League ladder.
Taylors Lakes led at every change and its forward options proved too strong in the end for the visitors, with Paul Gilmour instrumental in the forward 50 with seven goals.
Youngster Joel Sposato also got under the guard of the Sydenham/Hillside defence, booting four, while Jarrod Catania kicked three of his side’s nine goals for the match.
The Lions controlled the first quarter and a half, at one stage skipping out to a 26-point lead before the Sharks hit back just before half time with two goals in a row to reduce the margin to 16 points.
Taylors Lakes pulled away again in the third to lead by five goals at three-quarter time, before saving the best for the last stanza with six goals to two.
Both teams were led from the front despite their fluctuating fortunes, with skipper Ben Scott the best player on the ground for the winners and Sharks captain/coach Robert Scardamaglia gallant in defeat for his side.
In other B Grade matches played on Saturday, Tullamarine extended its winning streak to five following a commanding performance against Roxburgh Park.
The Demons moved into fourth spot on the table and proved they are one of the form sides of the competition by smashing the Magpies by 66 points.
It was a dominant first half which did all the damage for Tullamarine at home, the Demons opening up a 29-point advantage after controlling the first term before extending it to 52 points after a six-goal second stanza.
Airport West returned to the winners’ list with an emphatic 93-point win over Moonee Valley.
The Eagles pulled away in the second half to win easily against a Magpies unit which started promisingly.
Moonee Valley was outscored 20 goals to six after quarter time and found it tough containing the array of scoring options from Airport West, which had 13 individuals on the score sheet.
Ladder leader West Coburg had its match wrapped up at three-quarter time when it led by 50 points against Pascoe Vale, before easing off in the last to eventually win by 28.
The only team without a loss so far this season, West Coburg set up the victory after dominating the first half and leading by 47 points at the main break.
Pascoe Vale’s John Taylor finished with a game-high six goals, but the day belonged to firming flag favourite West Coburg.
Westmeadows notched its second win of the current campaign by thrashing Hadfield by 50 points at home.
Inaccuracy cost the Hawks dearly in the opening stages and they fell 21 points behind at half time despite having one less scoring shot.
The Tigers took full advantage by slamming on five goals in the third stanza to set up an unassailable 43-point buffer at the final change.
Maribyrnong Park maintained second spot on the ladder after defeating a fast finishing Glenroy by 14 points.
The Lions were dominant in the second and third quarters and led by seven goals at three-quarter time.
And North Coburg continued Jacana’s poor season with a thumping 78-point win at home, highlighted by a 12-goal second quarter.
