Two Blues mudlarks continue winning way

TO use racing parlance, Prahran would have a W next to its name in a form guide.

The Two Blues continued on their winning way against Preston in VAFA Division 1 on Saturday in what coach Craige Milward aptly described as a slug fest.

Persistent drizzling rain all day turned the game into a rugby like contest but these Two Blues are mudlarks with their superior polish on a muddy, slippery track making light of the treacherous conditions.

This was the second time in a month the Two Blues had won away from home in wet and muddy conditions, repeating the brave win against the elements at Parkside in round 11.

The Two Blues pressure rating remained on high with the sure ball handling of players such as Mackenzie Mayne, Shaun Chapman and Riley Hogan a standout.

The win, Prahran's eighth in a row,  maintains the ladder leader's two game advantage over second placed Ormond with four rounds remaining before finals.

Saturday's game was all but over by half-time with Prahran 36 points ahead.

The Two Blues first two goals to Max Milward and Matthew Clifford came courtesy of 50m penalties.

In the opening minute of the second quarter Chapman handballed to Matthew Clifford who waltzed into an open goal.

Mayne and Taylor Bamford both converted from set shots on acute angles before Mayne marked a Pat Ribbands pass and landed a long set shot deep in time-on.

Goals were harder to come by in the second half and to the Bullants credit they did not shirk any contest but final scores of 10-10 (70) to 4-1 (25) - 20 scoring shots to five- was an accurate assessment of the gulf in class between the teams.

Clifford with 4-3 was the stand out forward in the game highlighted by his strength in marking contests.

PRAHRAN 3-2 7-6 8-8 10-10 (70)

PRESTON 1-0 2-0 3-1 4-1 (25)

Goals. Clifford 4, Mayne 2 Bell, Stent-Powell, Milward, Bamford.

Best. Bell, Ribbands, Mayne, Chapman, Torney.

RESERVES

A truly remarkable 10 goals from Declan Marrows was the undoubted highlight of the Reserves thumping 84 point win over an under manned Preston.

For one player to kick 10 goals in the rain and slush was an astonishing effort.

The Reserves are now two games clear of fifth placed Kew, so next week's clash could well decide the finalist.

PRAHRAN 4-3 8-7 9-14 13-10 (97)

PRESTON 0-5 0-6 1-7 1-7 (13)

Goals. Marrows 10, Jack Matherson, Hughes, O'Sullivan.

Best. Marrows, Hughes, Rhodes, Woods, Partridge, Campbell.