RESERVOIR cemented second spot on the Division 3 ladder with a big win over last year’s runner-up Watsonia at Crispe Park in Round 9.
The Mustangs never looked in doubt in the 50-point win, pulling well clear of the Saints during the second term in none too pleasant conditions to record the 12.13(85) to 4.11(35) win.
In what was expected to be a close contest, it was the Saints who got off to the better start. Mark Roumanos kicked a great running goal to get them off to a great start.
The goal stung the home side into action, as Danny O’Sullivan and David McGregor both kicked goals in quick succession for Reservoir to reward it for its relentless pressure.
A couple of goal exchanges saw out the quarter with the Mustangs holding on to a four-point lead heading into the second term.
As the heavens opened up above, contested possession became the key factor in the game. This was certainly the case in the second term, with all of the play being played in Reservoir’s forward half.
The Mustangs could only muster 2.4 for the term, with Toby O’Meara and Ashley Flavel kicking the only goals, but were able to keep the Saints scoreless as they took a 20-point lead into the third term.
The rain played a major part in that second term, with the lights needing to be switched on such was the significance of the horrible weather.
But the Mustangs pressure around the contested ball saw them keep the ball locked in their forward half for most of the term, which was an astounding effort against good opposition.
After 10 minutes of end-to-end footy following the half time break, O’Meara was finally able to get the breakthrough goal as the Mustangs took a 27-point lead.
David McGregor and Kent Beaumont kicked late goals for Reservoir as it only allowed Watsonia to score three behinds for the quarter to take a 40-point lead into the final quarter.
The Mustangs’ dominated the term again, with their hard nuts around the ball winning the contested footy which was the defining factor of the match.
O’Meara kicked his third of the day at the start of the final term before Roumanos was able to kick Watsonia’s first goal since the first term, slotting the major to briefly halt the Reservoir surge.
Goals to Beaumont and O’Meara saw out the game as the Mustangs won in a very dominant display by a convincing margin of 50 points.
Joel Buckley, Liam Ryan and O’Meara were the best for the Mustangs on a true winter’s day, whilst Matthew Crawford, Hayden Mitchell and Nick Hearn were Watsonia’s best in a very disappointing day.
The win sees the Mustangs move eight points clear of the third-placed Saints. They remain within touching distance of undefeated Thomastown ahead of this week’s mouth-watering clash between Division 3’s top two sides.
Watsonia remains in third spot, percentage ahead of South Morang, despite the loss and has the bye in Round 10.
Final score: Reservoir 12.13(85) def Watsonia 4.11(35)
