By Dejan Kalinic
Northern Bullants have continued their impressive start to the season with a thrilling six-point victory over Sandringham at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The Bullants punished Sandringham's skill errors in a dominant first half to rebound from halfback and capitalise up forward through Jason Saddington, who finished with four goals in a 14.11.95 to 13.11.89 victory.
But the Zebras continued to fight, despite losing Leigh Fisher early in the first quarter, and they should have done more with opportunities created in the final term.
The competition's leading goal-kicker Nicholas Sautner was a late withdrawal, and it told early as Sandringham lacked direction in a first term where the Bullants played numbers behind the ball.
Neither team were able to kick consecutive goals early in the second quarter, before two late goals gave the Bullants a 29-point half time lead.
Matt Maguire provided the imposing forward option in the third term, kicking three goals to bring the Zebras within 13 points.
But goals from the Bullants continued to occur at regular intervals, and they held a 26-point lead at the final change.
Tom Lynch, Maguire's fifth and a running goal from David Gallagher brought Sandringham within eight points in the opening eight minutes of the final term.
When David Armitage marked metres out from goal just a minute later, it looked as if the Zebras would be within a kick for the first time since the opening stages.
But his snap missed and Mitch Robinson's stellar performance was iced with a late goal.
Sandringham came again but Rod Crowe hit the post from 45 metres out to sum up the Zebras day.
Mitch Robinson ran hard and captain Adam Iacobucci was vital in the final term to be amongst the Bullants best.
Matt Maguire, Jack Steven and Andy Biddlecombe were the best for Sandringham.
Sandringham 1.4 4.6 8.8 13.11 (89)
| Northern Bullants 4.0 9.5 12.10 14.11 (95)
GOALS:Sandringham: Maguire 5 Gallagher 2 Armitage Tregear Smith Waller Lynch Connors
Northern Bullants: Saddington 4 Fisher 2 Boundy 2 Robinson Bentley Houlihan Garlett Bilney O'hAilpin
BEST:Sandringham: Maguire Begley Biddlecombe Stanley Gallagher Waller
Northern Bullants: Robinson Saddington Fisher Hartlett Iacobucci Houlihan
REPORTED PLAYERS:Sandringham: Nil
Northern Bullants: Jo. Bannister (Northern Bullants) for striking T. Lynch (Sandringham)
Last Modified on 12/05/2009 10:17