St Mary’s moved two games clear in third place on the Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 ladder after a thrilling one-point win over Epping in Round 12.
A goal to Leigh Sullivan at the 26-minute mark of the final quarter put the Burra ahead late, before holding on for an 8.10 (58) to 7.15 (57) win at Epping Recreation Reserve.
It was sweet revenge for the Burra – who had lost each of their previous three matches against the Blues by less than a goal.
The result close to seals a finals place for the Burra for the second consecutive year, while Epping remains in fourth spot just percentage ahead of Heidelberg West and Kilmore.
St Mary’s led for the majority, however it was never able to truly break free of its host – with the margin never stretching beyond 12 points throughout the match.
Daniel Dober was adjudged the Burra’s best in the win, while Daniel Castagnini and Jake Dambrauskas found plenty of the ball. Shane Derham and Adam Lucci were also important in the win.
Dillan Ronalds was a strong presence in the low-scoring affair and often looked the player most likely to break the game open. The St Mary’s skipper finished with three majors and took a number of contested marks around the ground.
Epping was well served by midfielders Leigh Judd and Tom Hughes, while club champion Daniel Moore continued his strong return to the senior line-up.
Alec Buchan had a strong first-half where he kicked two majors, while Kevin Kiernan was the Blues’ most dangerous forward and finished with a team-high three goals. Youngsters Dallyce Taylor and Jake Perry also showed promising signs.
The closeness of the game ensured an entertaining contest, despite the high number of turnovers from both sides entering their forward 50m.
St Mary’s enjoyed a strong start and kicked the opening two goals through Matthew Patti and Myles Guldon – who was one of the key players on the ground in first quarter and gave the Burra a strong target in attack.
Kiernan got the Blues on the board with a clever snap from congestion, before Ronalds put through his first goal of the day with a long-range set shot.
With stakes high, the intensity from both sides during the second quarter was commendable, with both defences able to absorb plenty of pressure.
A goal to Epping’s Aaron Willitts proved to be the only major in the opening half of the quarter, before Ronalds stretched St Mary’s lead to 12 points when he converted at the 17-minute mark.
Buchan sparked the Blues with two goals in two minutes during time-on to help his side push within one point at half time.
St Mary’s again made a fast start in the third quarter and goals to Ronalds and Dambrauskas again stretched its lead back out to 11 points.
With Judd, Hughes and Josh Stavely gradually getting on top in the middle of the ground, Epping was able to take the lead for the first time late in the quarter when Kiernan and Adam Rose kicked consecutive goals.
The last quarter was an arm-wrestle, with neither side able to break down their opponent’s defence.
Jackson Wolczko was the beneficiary of a clean foray forward by St Mary’s, finding space to run into an open goal to take back the lead. However, the advantage was short-lived as Kiernan responded instantly for the Blues – with a classy snap from the pocket.
Despite spending the afternoon in defence, Sullivan pushed forward in a desperate bid to find a late winner late for St Mary’s. He dived on a loose ball inside his side’s attacking 50m and won a push in the back free kick – which he calmly converted from 40m directly in front.
Final score: Epping 7.15 (57) def by St Mary’s 8.10 (58)
