By Trevor Jackson
NORTH GAMBIER 17.11 (113) d CASTERTON SANDFORD 6.9 (45)
AFTER the coronavirus pandemic again caused grief for the Bendigo Bank Western Border Football League in recent rounds, Round 11 went ahead on the weekend with no disruptions.
Casterton Sandford made the trip across the border, but struggled against North Gambier at Vansittart Park.
A big third term by the Tigers turned the game around after a relatively even first half.
North had the advantage in the first term on the scoreboard, although the Cats had six attempts at goal, while the tigers had just five.
However, North converted four of those for full points, to the Cats’ one.
The second term saw the Cats add three straight goals, while the Tigers struggled in front.
The home side still held a handy 13-point lead at the long break, which was about to be blown out of the water.
The Tigers banged on seven third-quarter major scores to the Cats’ one and the game was all but over, with the 13-point margin turned into a 48-point lead.
From there it was all academic as the Tigers ran the game out with another four majors in the final stanza.
Justin McConnell added to his season haul with five goals, while Brett Shepherdson, Will Stafford, Henry Gould and Tom McLennan kicked two each.
MILLICENT 16.10 (106) d SOUTH GAMBIER 4.4 (28)
SOUTH Gambier suffered its first blemish of the 2021 season and it was a big fall from grace.
Millicent has relied on Gene Robinson this season to kick goals, but the weekend saw a gaggle of Saints stand up in front of the big sticks.
Millicent opened with seven first-quarter goals and simply never let the Demons back in the game from there.
South could only manage two straight goals by the long break, with the home side well in control.
At the final break the Demons trailed by 64 points and the Saints simply rolled on.
Robinson contributed five goals to remain well clear at the top of the goal-kicking ladder, while Sam Willis and Harry Tunkin kicked three each.
Caleb Williams kicked two.
No player kicked multiple goals for South.
While the season ladder is somewhat confused due to the odd missing game between East Gambier and Casterton Sandford, the Saints have certainly laid a claim on the pointy end of the ladder, equal with North on points, but with the better percentage to hold down second spot.
That could change when the Bulldogs and Cats play their catch-up game in the coming weeks.
EAST GAMBIER 15.9 (99) d WEST GAMBIER 7.7 (49)
EAST Gambier returned to some of its best football on the weekend, with a comfortable victory over West Gambier at McDonald Park.
A six-goal opening term set the scene for the Bulldogs, with consistent efforts for the remaining three to stay well ahead of the Roos.
Shaun Lock and Todd Lockwood were the stars up forward with four goals each,while Matt Willson contributed two.
Ben Papps was the only multiple scorer for the Roos with two goals.
The result leaves West vulnerable in fifth position, with daylight beginning to show to the top four.
