St Bedes/Mentone Tigers returned to the winning list with a hard fought 16 point win over bottom of the table Old Haileybury at McKinnon on Saturday. Old Haileybury opened the game kicking with the advantage of a solid breeze. The Tigers started well with State Players Jack Hellier and Sam Anstey dominating the mid field seemed to be controlling the game early. The Bloods though skipped into gear with two quick goals to open their scoring whilst the Tiger forays forward resulted only in points. At the first break Haileybury had skipped out to an 18 point lead. An upset loomed as St Bedes/Mentone who were struggling with the conditions watched Haileybury kick the first two goals of the quarter. The Tigers just could not buy a goal until Sam Anstey opened the account with a brilliant running goal from the centre of the ground. Soon after Dean Porter marked brilliantly for the Tigers across half forward and his long kick saw Luke Wintle tower over the goal square pack for the second. It was individual efforts that saw the Tigers claw their way back. The Haileybury mid field, who were troubling the Tigers, had Hamish Mclauchlan and pocket sized Liam Donnelly working tirelessly. When Darcy Holden goaled along with Simon Richards the Tigers had fought back to 2 point deficit at the main break. The third opened poorly for the Tigers when Haileybury goaled immediately after a 25 metre penalty. When they goaled again shortly after things looked bleak for the Mentone boys. The Tigers though were not about to fold and through smart ball control clicked their running game into gear. Anstey goaled to steady the ship and when Dean Porter kicked truly they were back in it. Pat Liston on loan from VFL club Collingwood and Alex Kane who had started on the pine were making an impact. The Tiger defence lead by Paul Wintle and Hiwad Shakaib held sway for the remained of the quarter to give the Tigers a one point buffer at the final break. Kicking home with the aid of the breeze the Tigers could not buy an early goal as the Bloods tactics of slowing down the play seemed to be working. Memories of last weeks final quarter melt down against Scotch when the Tigers threw away the game lingered. Tiger’s youngster Darcy Holden stepped in to show his class with two last quarter goals. And when Sam Anstey goaled the Tigers had slipped out to a 22 point lead. A late goal to a valiant Haileybury outfit saw the Tigers walk off with the points against a team that had given its best. •The Reserves continued their winning streak with a 61 point victory while the U19s slugged it out with Fitzroy eventually running out 16 point winners. •Next Saturday afternoon St Bedes / Mentone Tigers take on VAFA powerhouse De LaSalle at Brindisi Street. Spectators will see VAFA A Section football at its best.