LAKE Wendouree has gone one win clear at the top of the Ballarat Football League ladder.
The Lakers remain the only unbeaten combination after getting home against an injury-hit North Ballarat City by 26 points at Wendouree on Saturday.
Final scores: 13.10 (88) to 7.20 (62)
City did not help its own cause in blustery conditions with eight behinds before kicking its first goal while with the wind at its back in the opening term.
While it did lead by 13 points at quarter time, North Ballarat had not been rewarded for all the possession its had had in its attacking half.
And when it again needed to take advantage of what should have been the scoring end in the third stanza, Lake Wendouree stifled City to set up a match-winning break.
The top-of-the-table battle developed into an arm wrestle as each team added just two goals in the last quarter.
North Ballarat was not helped by injuries to James Vanderkley (shoulder) and ruckman Lou Campana (knee), which left it with just two on interchange for the entire second half.
The Lakers’ Ben Hayes had a day he would rather forget.
He was reported for head-high contact on City’s Daniel Kilpatrick late in the third second and sent off for 15 minutes after being shown a yellow card.
It was not enough, he strained a hamstring late in the game.
Andrew Piston continued with his sharp shooting for the Lakers with five goals, while Ryan Luke toiled hard in various roles for City.
Melton 11.12 (78) d East Point 9.6 (61)
Melton left no doubt it is the real deal when it comes to being a finals contender by dispensing with an out-of-sorts East Point.
This gives the Bloods three wins in four games, but it is a much different story for the Kangaroos, which are languishing on one.
East again found itself well off the pace early before making a late charge, but it was all too late.
Bacchus Marsh 28.14 (182) d Ballarat 8.3 (51)
Damian Cupido kicked another 10 goals as the Cobras crushed Ballarat at Bacchus Marsh.
This gives him 20 goals in two games since crossing from Airport West.
There was little in the first term, but Bacchus Marsh broke the game wide open with six majors in the second quarter.
The Cobras goes to the inter-league break well placed with four wins in five rounds.
Redan 15.16 (106) d Darley 7.12 (54)
Darley’s season is in disarray after being thumped by Redan at the City Oval.
The match was significant for each – confirming Redan is well and truly back in business and that reigning premier Darley is in strife.
Darley finally found a little attack with three goals in the last term, but it was also Redan’s most potent for the day with six.
Brenton Riordan was again a target in attack for the Lions with four goals.
Sunbury v Melton South at Sunbury on Saturday night
ALL SENIOR DETAILS
Bacchus Marsh 4.1, 10.5, 19.10, 28.14 (182)
Ballarat 3.1, 4.1, 5.2, 8.3 (51)
GOALS
Bacchus Marsh: Damian Cupido 10, Alec Del Papa 4, Cameron Richardson 3, Tyler Huynh 2, Matt Denham 2, Liam Noonan 2,
Jackson Bolton 1, Hamish Coulton 1, Declan Phyland 1, Matthew Sutherland 1, Lachlan Phyland 1
Ballarat: Jack Blackburn 4, Hayden Hughes 3, William Garner 1
BEST
Bacchus Marsh: Matt Denham, Damian Cupido, Daniel Burton, Tyson Shea, Alec Del Papa, Jackson Bolton
Ballarat: Jack Blackburn, Daniel Kennedy, Tyler Constable, Bailey Van de Heuvel, Phillip Vivian, Shane Hutchinson
Lake Wendouree 2.1, 10.5, 11.5, 13.10 (88)
North Ballarat City 3.8, 5.10, 5.15, 7.20 (62)
GOALS
Lake Wendouree: Andrew Pitson 5, Nathan Pring 2, Hayden Cartledge 1, Ben Taylor 1, Luke Bucknall 1, Thomas Carey 1,
Stephen Clifton 1, Ashley Simpson 1
North Ballarat City: Mitchell Johns 2, Jordyn Burke 1, Jarryd Graham 1, Derick Micallef 1, Adam Turley 1, Keenan George 1
BEST
Lake Wendouree: Thomas Littore, Benjamin Hayes, Lucas Anderson, Hayden Cartledge, Dominic Sliwa, Thomas Carey
North Ballarat City: Ryan Luke, Jarryd Graham, Daniel Jones, Benjamin Simpson , Geoffrey Lovett
Redan 4.4, 7.8, 9.13, 15.16 (106)
Darley 1.1, 3.1, 4.7, 7.12 (54)
GOALS
Redan: Brenton Riordan 4, Dean Chester 2, Callum Currie 2, Patrick Fitzgibbon 2, Nicholas Willox 1, Daniel Colbert 1,
Christopher Giampaolo 1, Leigh Ryall 1, Nick Sullivan 1
Darley: Leigh Spiteri 2, Shane Page 1, Cooper Pepi 1, Dane Grenfell 1, Harley Inglis 1, Rhys Ellis 1
BEST
Redan: Jarrett Giampaolo, Brenton Riordan, Ryan Waight, Patrick Britt, Matthew Cullinan, Dean Mathews
Darley: Shane Page, Travis Minns, Shannon Mc Donald, Daniel Robson, Jarrod Edwards
Melton 5.4, 9.5, 10.8, 11.12 (78)
East Point 1.3, 4.3, 7.6, 9.7 (61)
GOALS
Melton: Matthew Notman 3, Lachlan Sidebottom 2, Michael Licciardo 2, Jack Hughes 1, Jaycob Hickey 1, Dillon Sharp 1,
Jared May 1
East Point: Rhys Monument 3, Brent Fitzpatrick 3, Toby Boyle 1, Nicholas Hind 1, Chris Banwell 1
BEST
Melton: Jake Gleeson, Lachlan Sidebottom, Jack Walker, Corey Armstrong, Ryan Davis, Nicholas Gale
East Point: Paul Koderenko, Aden Nestor, Chris Carson, Drew Murphy, Daniel Tung, Rhys Monument
