One win separates second and seventh in an enthralling BJFL under-16 seniors competition.

With five rounds remaining, top team Kyneton is the only club assured of a finals berth.

Strathfieldsaye (28), Golden Square (28), South Bendigo (28), Sandhurst (24), White Hills (24) and Kangaroo Flat (24) are in a tight race for the remaining four finals places.

Golden Square, Sandhurst and White Hills strengthened their finals hopes with wins at the weekend.

Square produced its best performance of the season to defeat Strathfieldsaye by 27 points.

The Dogs won 13.7 (85) to 9.4 (58) on the back of good games from Fraser Bynon and Jack Ginnivan (five goals).

Sandhurst scored a hard-fought 15-point win against Kangaroo Flat at Dower Park.

A fast start by the Dragons was important in the low-scoring 5.9 (39) to 3.6 (24) victory.

White Hills scored a 59-point win over Eaglehawk at Canterbury Park.

Patty Crawford and Isaac Griffin impressed in the 14.9 (93) to 4.10 (34) victory.

In the final game of the round, Kyneton outclassed bottom side Castlemaine by 15 goals. For the Tigers, Corey Pertzel continued his fine season and Harrison Lidgerwood stood out.

The battle for top spot in under-14 seniors is alive again after Sandhurst stunned ladder leader Kyneton.

The Dragons belted the Tigers by seven goals, with Jacob Hooke and Hamish Goggin in great form.

Third-placed Sandhurst (24 points) has the best percentage and is within striking distance of Golden Square (28) and Kyneton (32).

In the other match, Golden Square edged out a plucky Strathfieldsaye by 13 points.

Kyneton stamped its authority on the under-12A division when it scored a six-goal win over St Therese’s.

Scores were level at half-time before the Tigers kicked 5.0 to 0.0 in an inspired third term. Angus Mills and Hagan Freeman played well for the young Tigers.

In the other under-12A seniors match, Golden Square proved too strong for Strathfieldsaye. Oliver Eaton and Max Lowery were the key players in the win.

The closest match of the under-18 youth girls division was a thrilling one-goal match between Strathfieldsaye and Golden Square.

The second-placed Storm held on to win by six points  – 5.5 (35) to 4.5 (29).

For the fourth time in her past five matches Maeve Tupper was best on ground for the Storm.

Liz Snell was the dominant player on the ground in Kyneton’s 23-point win over Eaglehawk.

The young Tiger midfielder kicked three of her side’s six goals. Averil Miles was best for the Borough.

In other games, top team Kangaroo Flat kept South Bendigo scoreless in its 20-goal win, while Woorinen defeated bottom side Sandhurst by 87 points.

In the under-15 youth girls division, the closest match of the round was Eaglehawk’s 18-point win over Strathfieldsaye Thunder. Chloe Baker and Priya Swain led the charge for the Borough in the 5.6 (36) to 2.6 (18) win.

In other games, Kangaroo Flat defeated South Bendigo by eight goals, Golden Square scored a six-goal win over Strath Storm and Sandhurst belted Kyneton by 97 points.