SANDRINGHAM Sabres sit alone at the top of the Under 18 Girls Ashe Pool ladder after seeing off the Melbourne Tigers in Round 3 action on Friday night. The Sabres moved to 3-0 for the season with an incredible percentage of 198.99, though the win was far from rudimentary, as Sandringham was forced to win in a grind, 44-31.

The Sabres always looked in control but could never completely be safe, with the first and third terms really breaking the game open. Sandringham raced to an eight-point quarter time lead, and increased that to nine by the main break. Doubling the Tigers’ score in the third with just 15 points scored (10-5), the Sabres were able to do enough prior to Melbourne hitting back in the last.

Madison Ryan was the difference between the two sides with the Sandringham talent putting up 17 points, 11 more than any other player on the court. She was supported by the likes of Makayla Craven and Ella Wickstrom who both scored six points apiece, while Madeleine Angus (five) also chipped in with some support on the scoring front.

Melbourne could not find a potent scorer with the talented Gabriella Conti limited to six points, though she was still her team’s top scorer, while Laura Seiz managed the five. Eight of the nine Tigers who got on the court scored, with the same amount of Sabres putting up points in the 13-point triumph.

Sandringham became the only undefeated side after Surf Coast put an end to McKinnon’s run with a 58-43 victory at Wurdi Baierr Stadium. However Eltham Wildcats and Casey Cavaliers both joined those two other teams with a 2-1 record after they knocked off Sandringham’s second side and Westgate Basketball respectively. In the other match, Frankston accounted for Keilor by eight points (55-47).

An incredible four teams remain undefeated in the Watson Pool in stark contrast to the even Ashe Pool. Dandenong Rangers, Nunawading Spectres, Kilsyth Cobras and Geelong United are all 3-0, while at the other end of the scale, Diamond Valley Eagles and Bendigo Braves, as well as the second sides from Casey and Melbourne are all without a win from three matches.

The Round 3 matches were all fairly one-sided with Nunawading’s win over Bendigo (63-47) and Geelong’s triumph over Diamond Valley (68-52) the closest at 16 points the margin. In the other matches, Dandenong and Kilsyth made light work of Casey and Melbourne’s second sides, while Bulleen Boomers proved too good for Ballarat Miners (50-27).