HEIDELBERG continued its charge towards the Division 1 minor premiership, with a hard-fought nine-point win over a determined Northcote Park in Round 13.
The Tigers now sit one win clear of second-placed Greensborough, who is yet to play in the split round, following the 7.12 (54) to 6.9 (45) victory in wintery conditions at Bill Lawry Oval.
It was a balanced effort up forward for the Tigers, with all single goal kickers, including one to the side’s leading goal kicker Chaz Sargeant.
Henry Mason was the only multiple goal scorer for the Cougars, kicking two majors, with four others slotting a goal in the defeat.
Both teams took some time to get accustomed to the wet and windy conditions in the early stages of the first quarter.
The Tigers were the first to strike through a set shot from Jack Ridewood, but their lead didn’t last long.
The Cougars were able to answer with two quick goals of their own through Mason and Koden Coleman at the other end.
They would be the only three goals of the first stanza as the home side took a four-point lead into quarter time.
The Tigers came out firing in the second term, kicking a goal after just one minute of play through Sargeant. It would be the first in chain of three successive goals to begin the quarter.
Following the resulting two majors, the Tigers were able to open up a handy 15-point buffer before the Cougars were able to peg a late goal back through Ben Irving.
Irving’s goal – the Cougars’ only for the quarter – cut the deficit to nine points at the main break.
As the rain started to fall heavily, the game became a scrap with just two goals kicked between the two sides in the third quarter.
Despite the conditions, the Cougars were able to defend well and get the ball out of their defensive 50 cleanly. However, they weren’t as effective in front of the big sticks, kicking 1.4 for the quarter.
Leading by eight points at three-quarter time, the Tigers were able to extend their lead early in the fourth quarter with a goal to Allan Young. However, the Cougars were able to strike right back as Mason kicked his second goal.
The Cougars looked as though they could cause a major upset when Will Debruin goaled to cut the margin to just two points approaching time on.
The home side threatened to take the lead a number of times as they edged the ball inside their forward 50m, however a late goal at the other end to Heidelberg stalwart Blair Harvey put the result beyond doubt as the Tigers held on for a hard-fought win.
For the Tigers, Harvey and Kieren Andrew were among the best in a superb team effort, while Jason Kennedy and Ben McNiece toiled hard for Northcote Park in a result which likely ends their finals aspirations this season.
With five regular season rounds remaining, both teams will take their final bye of this season this weekend as the rest of the Division 1 sides do battle.
The Tigers next face Eltham at Warringal Park as they resume their fight with Greensborough for top spot and a week off in the opening week of the finals.
Northcote Park will travel to Montmorency Park to face seventh-placed Montmorency. The Cougars prevailed by a solitary point when the sides met in Round 4.
Final score: Northcote Park 6.9 (45) def by Heidelberg 7.12 (54)
