ZEBRAS WIN UGLY

[Demonland 73,140]

by Barry from Beach Road

Sandringham held on to top spot and extended its winning streak to four matches on end by defeating fourth placed Williamstown in a tight tussle at Burbank Oval on Sunday. The Zebras have displayed some classical football in recording their three previous victories with massive scoring but now it was time to win "ugly" and they showed they are also adept at that style of game. Sandy controlled the match with strong bodied play and, in a low scoring contest, maintained the lead almost all of the way.

Williamstown won the toss and kicked towards the grandstand end that was slightly favoured by a breeze that swept across the ground with varying intensity during the day. The recent rains had softened the surface and the centre areas were boggy and hence, conditions were not conducive to good football and scoring was difficult.

Sandringham's renowned depth has been tested of late by the horror injury run of its AFL affiliate and with the withdrawal of defender Matthew Warnock only eight Demons played in this week's side. Warnock's absence was offset by the return from injury of Byron Pickett and solid Sandy defender Andy Biddlecombe.

With Mark Jamar on top in the ruck, the visitors dominated the early stoppages. Summers and Valenti worked hard in the middle of the ground and Poyas and Crowe capped off their work by driving the ball forward with regularity. However, it was obvious early that this would be a difficult day for key forwards and it took a lovely kick from Summers to open the goal scoring. The strength of Sandringham kept it on top in a dour struggle and further goals to Holland and a second to Summers set up a thoroughly deserved 13 point quarter time lead.

The second quarter opened with Sandy doing all the attacking but Sautner uncharacteristically missed two shots and the Seagulls steadied against the tide with the first goal of the term. Chris Lamb was rock solid in defence, Byron Pickett was picking up possessions and Ben Holland and Ryan Ferguson were combining well while Ezra Poyas in everything. When Gallagher goaled, the Zebras were well in control but the home side turned things around in the second half of the term and fought tenaciously to narrow the half time gap down to 7 points.

The third term was a repeat of the second with Sautner missing a shot early and then goals to Holland and Dunn who roved a pack beautifully setting up a match high 19 point lead halfway through the quarter. The Seagulls were not to be denied however, and they worked hard for little reward to bridge the gap down to 11 points at the final break. Sautner finally scored his goal for the day from what appeared to be a lucky free but the Seagulls were not to be denied and they fought tooth and nail in the difficult conditions only to fall short by a goal. Jamar took a couple of great saving marks late in the game to consign Williamstown to its fourth successive defeat.

Shane Valenti finished the game off strongly and would have impressed any AFL scouts in attendance with his hard work and his crisp disposal and decision making while Chris Lamb was the pick of the defenders for the second week in a row. Full credit must go to the Zebra defence which continually forced the opposition to make errors and turn over the ball.

The young brigade led by Tomi Johnston, Tom Paterakis and Sam Monaghan were impressive again as was Demon rookie Jace Bode whose form has blossomed in defence in the past month.

The Zebras have achieved the aim of establishing themselves in the top four and now must consolidate and maintain their winning form in the run up to the finals. They face a challenge this week in the form of the Bendigo Bombers who are a top four aspirant in the ABC televised game at the Trevor Barker Beach Road Oval and whether they win nice or ugly will be of little consideration.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Jace Bode - ran the ball well out of the backline and defended strongly. Was among his team's best players for the second week in a row.

Lynden Dunn - used as a mobile tall around midfield and occasionally drifted forward where he kicked an important goal roving the ball off a pack.

Ryan Ferguson - played mostly in defence but also went forward to set up scoring opportunities. A chance for a recall.

Colin Garland - prominent in defence where he showed a bit of class. Needs time at this level however and will benefit from the grounding he gets with the Zebras.

Ben Holland - had a reasonable game and kicked a couple of goals up forward where he stretched the Seagull defence.

Mark Jamar - the dominant ruckman on the ground. Easily beat former Zebra Chris Bryan who has been getting some games recently with Collingwood both in the ruck and around the ground.

Shane Neaves - again had a light workload and played in the Russian's shadow for much of the game.

Byron Pickett - came back strongly from a shoulder injury and picked up plenty of possessions especially in the first half. Could challenge for an AFL recall with some strong training this week.

Sandringham 3.4.22 4.7.31 6.8.44 7.11.53

Williamstown 1.3.9 3.6.24 4.9.33 6.11.47

Goals

Sandringham Holland Summers 2 Dunn Gallagher Sautner

Williamstown Beaumont Lockwood Picken Rose Williams Dick

Best

Sandringham Valenti Summers Jamar Lamb Bode Paterakis

Williamstown Iles Nicholls Meyer Cook Bryan Medhurst

The reserves blitzed Frankston to lead by nine goals at the first break and retained that lead to half time before coasting to a 21 point victory. Marc Johnston and Tom Dean continue to challenge for senior berths in what was a pleasing all round performance given the absence of so many of the early season stars who have been promoted to the seniors as well as some key injuries that have challenged the side’s depth. They will however, have to keep winning if they are to feature in finals action.

Sandringham 9.2 54 10.4 .64 14.5.89 15.6.96

Frankston 0.1.1 1.6.12 6.6.42 11.9.75

Goals

Sandringham M Johnston 3 Lyall Weetra 2 Collyer Curcio Hayes McKenzie S Martin Paule Roberts Turcarelli

Frankston Foggi 3 Booth Rafferty 2 Beaton Murray Ongarello Shinners

Best

Sandringham M Johnston Tregear Paule Dean Roberts McKenzie

Frankston Foggi Ongarello Barker Ulms Degenhardt Stanley

MACROCOMP'S SLIDESHOW- PHOTOS FROM THE GAME