Ellinbank hangs on for one point win
Ellinbank, along with Neerim Neerim South, retained the lead in the Ellinbank and District league; Warragul moved into the Gippsland League “five”; surprise packet Thorpdale continued its unbeaten run in Mid Gippsland, and West Gippsland League produced the “thrillers” of the weekend. Ellinbank’s share of the lead in the EDFL was sorely tested and was somewhat lucky to squeeze home with a one-point win at Longwarry. Neerim Neerim South didn’t have such worries to keep its undefeated record intact, blowing Warragul Industrials away in the first half on the way to a 10-goal victory. Catani sits third on the ladder and three games ahead of the sixth side as a result of its defeat of Nilma-Darnum, Buln Buln that downed Lang Lang held its spot in the “five” and Nyora scored its second win for the year at the expense of neighbour Poowong that remains winless. Thorpdale is setting the pace with Newborough in Mid Gippsland. Tom McDermott helped himself to a bag of 10 goals for Thorpdale as it crushed Hill End 24-9 to 13-3. Other big winners were Yallourn Yallourn North by 150 points over Boolarra and Yinnar by 84 points against Yarragon. Trafalgar holds onto fifth spot on the ladder despite a disappointing showing against Newborough, losing 13-7 to 7-7, while the close one of the round was at Mirboo North where the home side scraped home by two points against Morwell East. The West Gippsland League threw up a round of “thrillers”. There was a draw – between the top two sides in the competition, Inverloch-Kongwak and Dalyston – and three games were decided by seven points or less. The “blow-out” was KilcundaBass’ 23-point win although it had two fewer scoring shots than Nar Nar Goon. Garfield’s inaccuracy didn’t help it, either. It kicked 8-18 to lose by seven points to Koo wee rup’s 10-13, the Demons’ win the only one at the weekend by the five former EDFL clubs now in West Gippsland. Bunyip chasing its first win of the year failed by just five points against Korumburra-Bena, 11-17 to 11-12, and Cora Lynn fell seven points short of Phillip Island. In Gippsland League Warragul scored its third win from five games when it toppled Sale. The Gulls are in the “five” and were joined on 12 premiership points by Moe that came away with the win at Bairnsdale. Undefeated Traralgon was an easy winner over Drouin, and Maffra and Leongatha continue to hold down second and third after posting their fourth wins from five games. Maffra was too good for Wonthaggi Power and Leongatha dominated Morwell.