Wet and heavy conditions made for a very hard game of footy but the Bears were able to adapt to the situation better than the Lions to claim a 10.14 (74) to 6.12 (48) victory.
For the winning side, Osama Saad and Raafat Rachrache kicked three goals apiece and had support with singles from Michael Khoury, Ramez Dagher, Matthew Cupo and Daniel Boudoloh.
Up the other end, Jason Ward was the Lions’ only multiple goal kicker with two goals. Matthew Radziejewski, Mitchell Buckley, Dale O’Donnell and Simon Grossman all chipped in with one as the visitors had trouble putting a significant score on the board.
From the outset Thomastown showed its intent and gained momentum with a goal to Rachrache within the first 30 seconds of the match.
South Morang hit back with a goal of its own but that was the only major it kicked for the quarter as they accumulated a wasteful 1.5 for the opening term.
Despite having one less scoring shot, Thomastown opened up a nine-point buffer at quarter time.
Coming back after the first break, Thomastown gained all the momentum but, like its opponent in the first term, was inaccurate in front of goals.
Despite their inaccuracy, the Bears’ 4.7 for the term helped open up a handy advantage at half time, with the home side leading 7.9 (51) to 2.6 (18) at the main break.
After the long break it looked as if South Morang was going to take the lead as it took authority of the game.
The Lions brought the margin to just eight points early in the second half after kicking four unanswered goals.
A late reply by Thomastown gave the Bears some breathing space, but the Lions still looked ready to pounce going into the final quarter where the trailed by just 14 points.
This was not to be the case though, with Thomastown’s defence remaining solid in the final term and keeping South Morang to just two behinds in the final quarter to claim a much needed win and rise off the bottom of the Division 2 ladder.
In the end it was Thomastown’s superiority at the contested ball which proved decisive and the Bears’ forwards took their chances when they presented themselves.
Next week, Thomastown heads to Shelley Street Reserve to take on second-placed North Heidelberg who won its fifth consecutive game at the weekend when it triumphed over Hurstbridge by 56 points.
South Morang will also look to cause an upset when it faces undefeated ladder leader Epping, a side it lost to by 25 points when they first met in Round 4.
Final score: Thomastown 10.14 (74) def South Morang 6.12 (48)
