Tatura 8 (T. Zito 9',43', 60', C. Sellwood 14', T. Leech 26', 44', K. Minicozzi 49', 51') d
La Trobe University (H. McRae 46') 1
Tatura is within grasp of clinching a top two spot on the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League men's table after a comprehensive victory on Sunday.
The Ibises' 8-1 thrashing of La Trobe University has them two points behind table leader Eaglehawk and one point behind heavyweights Strathdale.
Sunday's emphatic round 17 victory against the Trobers at Howley Oval was the Ibises' 10th of the season.
Dom Cricelli's men are eyeing off dislodging one of the two sides above them with anticipated clashes in the upcoming rounds.
But with Cricelli firmly set on "one week at a time", Sunday's performance left him grinning right from the first whistle.
"The boys took control right from the start," he said.
"We took our chances and it's always pleasing to head into the main break with a five-goal lead.
"I guess the only disappointment was that we conceded in the second half.
"We really wanted to grab a clean sheet, so it's something for us to work on."
Tatura's Tristan Zito kicked off proceedings, firing a strike past the opposition goal-keeper inside the first 10 minutes.
Skipper Cody Sellwood scored the Ibises' second only five minutes later, while leading club goal-scorer Tom Leech joined the fun in the 26th minute.
Zito and Leech each scored their brace before the half-time whistle, as the home side entered the break with a energy sapping 5-0 lead.
But La Trobe fired off a yelp inside the opening minute of the second half, as Hugh McRae beat Tatura's Daniel Coombs.
Kyle Minicozzi replied for Tatura in the 49th and 51st minutes, while teammate Zito completed his stunning hat-trick at the hour mark.
"I thought both Tristan and Tom played a great game for us,"Â Cricelli said.
"Our midfield was very good, and I thought the defence held firm.
"Our aim is to start like that each time we head out on the pitch, especially against the top sides."
Looking ahead to next week, Tatura takes on Eaglehawk in a bid to jump into second spot, while La Trobe University battles it out against Strathdale.