Stonecats celebrate milestone match with a win MPNFL
By Brodie Cowburn
DIVISION ONE
FRANKSTON YCW and Mt Eliza have been the two strongest teams in the MPNFL this season. The two sides faced off on Saturday, with the top of the ladder spot on the line. John Coburn Oval hosted the clash. Stonecats star Byron Barry received a huge ovation before the match as he celebrated his 200th game. The Stonecats got off to a great start, and never let Mt Eliza get into the game. A ten goals to two first half sealed the Redlegs’ fate. The Stonecats ended up running out 52 point winners 19.8 (122) to 10.10 (70). Byron Barry was named best-onground for his milestone match. Matt Troutbeck also impressed, booting four goals for YCW. Edithvale-Aspendale nearly managed to score a huge upset on Saturday when they took on Frankston Bombers. Edi-Asp hosted the match. They came into the game having only won once all season. Both sides traded blows in an entertaining first half. The Bombers went into the main break with a narrow nine point advantage. The Bombers were able to keep Edithvale-Aspendale at bay in the second half. They eventually claimed the win by 25 points 14.6 (90) to 16.19 (115). Former Western Bulldog Jarrad Grant was in good form in front of goal. He scored five of Frankston’s goals. Ryan Marks-Logan and Jarryd Amalfi were also among the best. Dromana finished the round in third place after defeating Rosebud 11.17 (83) to 6.10 (46). Pines scored an impressive 54 point win over Sorrento on Saturday to help get their season back on track. Bonbeach rounded out the winner’s list with a 41 point win over Red Hill.
DIVISION TWO
LANGWARRIN’S unbeaten start to the season continued on Saturday, but they had to do it the hard way. The Kangaroos took on Mornington at Lloyd Park. It would go on to be a scrappy contest, with both sides strug-
Too much of a stretch: Mount Eliza could not match Frankston YCW, going down by 52 points. Picture: Craig Barrett
gling to hit the scoreboard. The first quarter set the tone for the match. Langwarrin went into the first break with a narrow lead, having kicked two goals to Mornington’s one. Langwarrin held onto their lead for the rest of the day. It wasn't alway pretty, but Langwarrin emerged winners 9.9 (63) to 6.7 (43). Mitchell Mathie was Langy’s best. He booted three of their goals.
Chelsea’s finals hopes were boosted with an important victory over Somerville on Saturday. Somerville have been among the best performing sides in the MPNFL this season. Chelsea came into the match one game behind them on the ladder. The Seagulls got off to a good start, but inaccuracy started to cost them. They went into half time up by nine
points, but it could have been a lot more. Chelsea were much more accurate in the second half, and their defensive efforts were impressive. They went on to win by 27 points 12.20 (92) to 9.11 (65). Mathew Baxter kicked four goals for Chelsea. Around the grounds, eleven goals between Damien Rayson and Chris
Buttner helped Seaford score a win over Hastings. Seaford defeated Hastings 14.10 (94) to 20.12 (132) on Hastings’ home turf. Pearcedale were big winners on Saturday, getting the better of Rye by 51 points. Devon Meadows notched up a 41 point win over Tyabb, and Karingal narrowly defeated Crib Point by 11.
Barb Raider’s “even better” heading into Oaks HORSE RACING
By Ben Triandafillou JEROME Hunter will be looking to land his first Group One win this weekend as his star filly Barb Raider lines up in the feature Queensland Oaks (2200m) as one of the leading contenders. After running a narrow second in the Group One Australasian Oaks (2000m) in South Australia at the end of April, Hunter turned his focus towards the Queensland Racing Carnival. Despite having a month between runs, Barb Raider came out and won the Group Two The Roses (2100m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday with her regular rider Craig Williams in the saddle. “It was a 10 out of 10 ride,” Hunter said postrace. “She’s had a month between runs as well so I think she’ll be even better heading towards the Oaks.” The Group Two race was delayed a week because of the heavy rainfall that struck Doomben the week prior and was transferred to Eagle Farm. Despite the extra week off, the tough filly showed plenty of fight to fend off her rivals and
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31 May 2022
win by a long neck over another Victorian-trained filly, Belle Savoir. Hunter says the re-scheduling of the race probably worked in their favour but now leaves just a seven-day turnaround heading into her main target. “It’s not ideal (the seven-day turnaround) but we’re all in the same boat,” he said. “We had bad weather last week and it was probably a blessing in disguise for us. We tried her on the heavy track in Sydney and that didn’t work out.” Craig Williams was adamant the filly would also improve having had a look around the track. “I could feel that she would benefit from having the competition today and going around righthanded for the lead up to the main race,” he said. “She’s only going to springboard off of today’s performance.” Williams added: “Jerome Hunter has done a marvellous job with her and the owners (Graeme and Barbara Gathercole) give him the confidence to let him train the horse the best way he can to get that Group One win for them and that’s why she’s here seven days before the main target.”
Gutsy girl: Jerome Hunter’s Barb Raider digs deep to win the Group Two The Roses at Eagle Farm on Saturday 28 May. Picture: Supplied