Reservoir has made it claim for second spot on the Division 3 ladder with a thrilling two-point win over Watsonia on Saturday.
After a controversial last quarter, the Mustangs were able to celebrate a 11.10 (76) to 11.8 (74) win at A.K. Lines Reserve.
Kael Beaumont kicked four goals for the winning side, with Marc Defelice and Kent Beaumont slotting two goals apiece.
For Watsonia, Brody Ricardi kicked four to bring his total to 39 for the season. Thomas Walliss and Tony Hogg were the only other multiple goal kickers with three and two goals respectively.
After receiving a hiding the last time the sides met, Reservoir came out of the gates hard – kicking the first two goals to take an early lead.
However, these majors were answered by the Saints, who quickly answered back with two of their own to cut the margin to just three points at the first change.
The home side was able to keep its momentum going into the second quarter, slotting the first five goals of the term to turn their quarter time deficit into a game-high 30-point lead. But the Mustangs were able to kick two late goals before the main break to keep within 19 points.
Reservoir flipped the script in the third term, kicking the first five goals of the half to take a 13-point lead. But in a game of filled by momentum swings, it was fitting that the Saints answered back with the next two goals to close within one point at the final change.
The final quarter was a tight tussle as both teams look to keep their top-two hopes intact. Both teams were only able to kick just one goal apiece for the final term as Reservoir held on grimly.
Watsonia’s Fraser Elliott had a chance to give his side the lead with just a few minutes remaining but sprayed his running shot to the left. The Saints then had the ball inside their forward 50m when the siren sounded and the Reservoir players breathed a sigh of relief.
Both coaches and supporters looked confused with the siren sounding after just 21 minutes of football being played in the final term. However, the umpires confirmed the match was over and Reservoir supporters were able to celebrate their team’s two-point win.
Backmen Adam Meroli and Ben Mowlam were named best afield for Reservoir, both playing spectacular matches in defence. For the Saints, Elliott was named best with a solid game running off half back.
The Saints now come up against Thomastown next week with the winner to hold second place on the ladder after 17 rounds of football. Reservoir will look for a percentage-boosting win when it plays Heidelberg West at Crispe Park.
Final score: Watsonia 11.8 (74) def by Reservoir 11.10 (76)
