WATSONIA took second place from Mernda on the Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 ladder after defeating the Demons by 21 points at A.K. Lines Reserve in Round 15.
Hoping to avoid a last quarter fadeout like the last time the two sides faced off, the Saints comfortably held on in scrappy conditions to claim a 10.10 (70) to 6.13 (49) victory.
Hayden Mitchell, Andrew Bennett and Matthew Crawford were among the home side’s best for the day combining, while Andrew O’Reilly and Adrian Stefanile were impressive for the Demons.
The fifth-consecutive win sees the Saints climb into the top two for the first time this season, after being outside the top four this time last month. Meanwhile, Mernda dropped outside the top two for the first time since Round 11.
In cold and wet conditions Mitchell kicked the first major for the afternoon to give the hosts an early lead, before O’Reilly quickly responded at the other end.
A goal for goal contest continued in the first term courtesy of great efforts from Matthew Buzinskas for the Saints and Les Adams for the Demons.
As time on approached, the rain began to come down heavily. Mernda took control in this period but missed several important set shots to head into quarter time with only a six-point buffer.
During the quarter time address Watsonia coach Corey McCall urged his side to take advantage of Mernda’s wayward kicking at goal – with the visitors registering 2.8 in the first term.
Andy Bennett opened his account for the afternoon early in the second term, while Mernda’s struggles in front of goal continued, before Adams eventually kicked his second major to end a run of five consecutive behinds for the visitors.
Watsonia then took control of the game, with goals from Adrian Alfonsi, Sam Leishman and Andrew Kidd putting the Saints on top in the contest.
Things became heated towards the end of the half with several yellow cards dished out to players from both sides as the hosts went into the main break seven points ahead.
Watsonia continued to impress as the second half commenced. Buzinskas and Alfonsi both slotted their second goals for the game in the space of two minutes to apply plenty of pressure on Mernda.
Matthew Tarr responded for the visitors but in a low scoring term Kidd was able to put through his second major at a crucial time to give the Saints an 18-point lead at three quarter time.
Mernda coach Jason Ford challenged his players to fight ruthlessly in the final quarter as they looked to back up their Round 14 win at Epping with another sterling victory.
However it was Watsonia who had all of the scoring chances early in the last quarter, without being able to convert.
A neat crumbing goal from Matthew Golledge momentarily swung the momentum towards Mernda, keeping the visitors in the game.
But as the rain made a return Mitchell kicked a vital goal for the Saints to give them an unassailable three-goal lead heading into time on.
The Saints’ 21-point triumph sets up a top of the table clash in Round 16 when they take to Epping Recreation Reserve to play Epping. A sixth-straight win would draw Corey McCall’s side equal on points with the Blues.
Mernda will be favoured to mount pressure on the top two when it takes on bottom-placed Heidelberg West at Waterview Recreation Reserve.
Final score: Watsonia 10.10 (70) def Mernda 6.13 (49)
