Lower Plenty responded to their defeat to Diamond Creek last week with an important 15-point win in their MC Labour Division 2 clash with St Mary’s at Montmorency Park South Oval.
A win was imperative for either side as the four points would secure a comfortable spot in the top five heading into the mid-season break.
Despite the evenness of the contest between the fourth and fifth placed sides of the competition, the Bears were the more clinical team, particularly in the second half, with their efficiency around goals proving to be the difference in the 16.6 (102) to 12.15 (87) victory.
The test of depth in the Bears forward line passed with flying colours as despite missing Tom Keys before the match and Billy Barden in the early stages of the contest, the duo of Ben Paterson and Corey Sleep picked up the pieces, kicking three majors each
Jack Fitzpatrick, Andrew White and Jonathon Zapantis also finished the day as multiple goal kickers, with the Bears forwards putting in one of their most productive games this season despite missing some firepower.
Having put in an impressive opening two months, Thomas Blake was instrumental for Lower Plenty once again, getting the better of the Burra’s Bailey Leonard in both the ruck contests and around the ground. Breaking away in the second half, Blake had a massive say in the outcome.
Tyler Wallace was also great in the win. Utilised at times both in defence and up forward, he played his best game of the season thus far.
Vincent Loccisano, Nicholas Dean and Mitchell Hocking were named in the best for St Mary’s in the losing effort, but despite kicking seven goals between them, their inaccuracy in front of goal came back to haunt them as Fabian Carelli’s men went down despite registering an extra five shots on goal.
In addition to being on the losing end of a crucial fixture, the Burra were also hampered with the injury of Tane Cotter, who wouldn’t return in the second half after fracturing his finger in the second term.
Despite a close contest in the first half, it would take a while for the game to come life as scores remained level at 5.2 (32) apiece at half time.
The home side then quickly turned thing around, kicking eight goals to two in the third quarter to establish a 22-point lead heading into the final change. It would inevitably set up the side for the win.
Trailing by four goals in the final term, Dean would stand up, doing all he could to help produce an unlikely comeback for the visitors.
After a quiet opening three quarters, he almost single handedly turned the game around for St Mary’s, scoring two crucial goals, taking important marks inside 50 and setting up another major to help reduce the gap to 10 points in the late stages of the match.
The Bears however, were able to withstand the Burra pressure in the final few minutes, securing an important 15-point win which puts them six points clear of the fifth placed Burra.
