By Dylan Beaumont
Berwick Springs has been knocked off its perch in a round of upsets in Southern Football Netball League Division 3.
The Titans suffered a 26-point defeat, going down 5.7(37) to 9.9(63) to Heatherton in tricky conditions at Mick Morland Reserve.
The Titans had just two goalkickers for the day’s play, with Ty Ellison snaffling three of his team’s five goals.
A goalless third quarter let Berwick Springs down, with the lead extending to 31 points at three quarter time.
Still sitting second on the ladder, Berwick Springs has now lost its past two matches.
Brodie Kiss and Charlie Palmer kicked three goals each for the winning side.
A third quarter explosion from Skye has given the Bombers their third victory of the season over Lyndhurst.
Two points up at half time, the Bombers kicked 4.3 to 0.1 in the third quarter to win the four points.
Matt Long stood tall for Skye kicking four majors, while Lyndhurst midfielder Jack Hazendonk was held goalless for the second time this season in defeat.
Ashwood has upset an inaccurate St Kilda City 11.7(73) to 6.15(51) after a massive first quarter output.
The winners kicked 5.2 to 0.3 in the first term with Kyle Hocking leading the charge with four goals.
Ashwood is still on the bottom of the ladder but now has an inspired outlook after their takedown of the Saints on the weekend.
For St Kilda City, Pearce Hutchinson kicked two goals while Jordie Gray and Alex Goldman were best afield.
To the surprise of many, Black Rock has outlasted South Mornington in a thriller, 7.9(51) to 7.7(49).
The Jets were under siege in the fourth quarter but pulled through for a valuable four points.
Vice captain Ricky Wait led the scoring with two goals and Luke Huber’s presence was felt heavily.
The win snapped a losing streak of two for Black Rock to put them back on track for the season.
For South Mornington, Chris Baker and Travis French kicked two goals apiece but couldn’t find a third to snatch away the win.
In one of their worst kicking displays of the season, Carrum Patterson Lakes has survived to sit pretty at the top of the table through seven rounds, beating Hampton 6.14(50) to 5.6(36).
The home side manufactured 1.8 in the second half but kept Hampton to 4.2, saving the 26-point lead at the main change to prevail by 14 points.
The Lakers have kicked more goals than behinds only twice this season, which could come back to haunt them in important matches.
Of their six goals, Matthew Baxter and Brodie Yapp had two goals each, with Liam Hickman taking best on ground honours.
For Hampton, Madden Griffin kicked two goals and Tarquin McMillan vastly impressed.
Berwick Springs will hit the road to Peterson Street Reserve against Hampton with hopes of flushing their two game losing streak away.
Hampton will be dangerous, having the fourth highest percentage in the competition despite sitting eighth on the ladder.
Lyndhurst will tackle the Tigers at home to steer themselves back on track.
Since round one, all of South Mornington’s games have resulted with a margin below three goals.
After their unexpected win last week, Ashwood will hit the road and visit Black Rock with fresh confidence.
It was the second time all year Ashwood kicked above 10 goals in a game, while Black Rock has broken past the barrier of 100 points once on the season.
A win for Black Rock would cement them in top five territory for the time being.
Round seven surprise packets Heatherton and Skye will play off at Heatherton in one of the more unpredictable matchups of the year.
The Bombers have the ability to tie Heatherton’s premiership points with a win.
Battling some form issues, St Kilda City’s life isn’t made any easier at home against Carrum Patterson Lakes, who continue to find paths to victory.
The Saints have lost three of the past four matches and are aiming for a win to hold a top-four position.
Results R7: Berwick Springs 5.7(37) def by Heatherton 9.9(63), Skye 9.13(67) def Lyndhurst 7.10(52), Carrum Patterson Lakes 6.14(50) def Hampton 5.6(36), Ashwood 11.7(73) def St Kilda City 6.15(51), South Mornington 7.7(49) def by Black Rock 7.9(51).
Ladder: Carrum Patterson Lakes 24, Berwick Springs 20, St Kilda City 16, South Mornington 16, Heatherton 16, Black Rock 12, Skye 12, Hampton 8, Lyndhurst 8, Ashwood 8.
Fixture R8: Hampton (8) v Berwick Springs (2), Lyndhurst (9) v South Mornington (4), St Kilda City (3) v Carrum Patterson Lakes (1), Heatherton (5) v Skye (7), Black Rock (6) v Ashwood (10).
