BY NATHAN DOLE
BALLARAT’S dominance in junior footy clashes with Bendigo for the Latrobe University Goldfields Trophy has rolled on.
The Ballarat JFL won five of six matches played on Sunday at Epsom-Huntly Recreation Reserve.
Despite Bendigo’s home ground advantage it was Ballarat which was in hot form across the seven matches.
The Goldfields Challenge for the boys first began in 1986 and now stands at 22-15 in Ballarat’s favour.
A big day for Ballarat kicked off with a 10.10 (70) to 1.4 (10) victory in the under-13 boys’ match.
Darcy Tyler was adjudged best for Bendigo as the honour for Ballarat went to Freddy Young.
The under-14 boys’ contest went Ballarat’s way, 6.19 (55) to 3.5 (23).
Josh Kelly was Bendigo’s best, and Xavier Cummins was Ballarat’s best.
It was 28 scoring shots for Ballarat as it won the under-14 girls’ match, 11.17 (83) to nil.
Lily Rochester was named Bendigo’s best player.
The best player for Ballarat went to Audrey Murnane.
A high-scoring under-15 boys’ match was won by Bendigo, 11.4 (70) to 6.14 (50).
Zac Chin was adjudged Bendigo’s best.
The best player award for Ballarat went to Zac Dalli.
Ballarat’s midfield and attack blitzed the under-16 boys’ match.
The visitors won 21.21 (147) to 5.4 (34).
Jonty Davis was named Bendigo’s best.
The best player award for Ballarat went to Sam Kallio.
In the under-16 girls’ game, Macy Burrows led the way as Ballarat won 12.12 (84) to 3.3 (21).
Best player for Bendigo was Maddie Dunn.
In the under-18 girls’ match, Ballarat charged to a 16.14 (110) to 1.0 (6) result.
Tahlia Kendall was adjudged Bendigo’s best player.
The best player award for Ballarat went to Maddy Ogden.
It’s a hat-trick of Goldfields Trophy wins for Ballarat, which matches the winning run of 2003 to ’05.
Ballarat’s longest winning sequence was five from 2007 to 2011, and it also held the trophy from 1990 to ’93.
Best sequences for Bendigo as holder of the Goldfields Trophy were 1987 to ’89; ’94 to ’96; ’98 to 2000.
The youth girls challenge was played from 2013 to ’17 and was 4-1 the way of Ballarat going into last Sunday’s resumption of the series.