RESERVOIR handed Thomastown its first loss for the 2014 season, defeating the Bears by 10 points in Round 10 of Division 3 action.
The Mustangs held off a fast finishing Thomastown side to claim the 14.17 (101) to 13.13 (91) away win at Main Street Reserve.
Ashley Flavel starred up forward for the Mustangs, kicking five goals to take his total to 27 for the season. David McGregor and Kael Beaumont were the only other multiple goal scorers for the victors, slotting four and two majors respectively.
For the Bears, Jacob Osei-Duro was again the main target up forward, kicking five goals to take his total to 48 for the season, 19 ahead of South Morang’s Ashley Hobbs.
Both teams came out of the blocks hard, with attack on the ball at a high level in the first part of the match.
Neither team was able to break away in a tight first term, with the margin just two points in favour of Reservoir at the first change after each team booted two goals.
Both sides again struggled to find a way to goals in the first part of the second term, but after goals to McGregor and Beaumont, the floodgates opened for the Mustangs. They kicked five unanswered goals to take a decisive 30-point lead into the main break.
The Bears rued endless missed shots at goals, as they kicked a wasteful 1.9 in the second term.
Thomastown looked to cut the deficit early in the second half and, after a quick goal to Matthew Cupo, it looked as if it was going to make a comeback.
However, consecutive goals to McGregor at the other end steadied the flow as the Mustangs opened up a 36 point lead.
Two late goals to Osei-Duro brought the margin back 30 points at the final change.
The game seemed all but over at the last change. Having only having kicked six majors for the entire match, the Bears needed to at least double that to be any sort of chance of claiming ninth successive victory in 2014.
Both teams traded goals for the first part of the final quarter and after Flavel’s fifth, the Mustangs looked home.
However, the Bears made one last push for an unlikely victory.
They slotted the last four majors of the game, including three straight to Folino, but it wasn’t enough and, as the siren sounded, the Mustangs collectively breathed a sigh of relief.
Jason Dal Santo and Ben Mowlam were both outstanding in victory and will look to feature in the votes, along with Flavel with his five majors.
Joe Fiore was in the best for Thomastown, along with Dylan Fuller and Osei-Duro.
In Round 11, Reservoir will take on St. Mary’s at Crispe Park as it looks to stay within four points of Thomastown at the top of the ladder.
The Bears will travel to A.K. Lines Reserve to take on fourth placed Watsonia who they defeated by 14 points back in Round 2.
Final score: Thomastown 13.13 (91) def Reservoir 14.17 (101)
