Lakes Entrance claimed its first win of the season, knocking off previously undefeated Paynesville by 13 points under lights at the Lakeside Oval.
The Seagulls set up victory with a dominant first half, before holding off a Gulls fight back.
Paynesville kicked the first into a relatively strong breeze, but the Seagulls answered through Mat Dugins.
They soon surged forward time and time again, but were struggling to hold marks in the moist conditions.
Gerard Kennedy was looking dangerous for Lakes, despite Max Solomon wearing him like a glove.
Lakes kicked out to a 21-point lead at the first change with Dugins (two), Kennedy (two), James Pitt and Jake Le Maitre each slotting goals.
The Gulls were battling hard around the ground and Dale Turvey won his fair share of the ball along with Adrian Gibbs, but it was speedster Ryan Holland who caused Lakes the most problems.
The littlest man on the field had the speed to make it to every contest and when he got the ball, he didn't waste it.
Paynesville knew it had the breeze in the second term, but failed to capitalise, booting a miserable seven behinds, whereas at the other end, Lakes made the most of its chances with Bobby Sproule and Jackson Dear kicking goals against the flow.
The Seagulls surged further ahead and by half time were in control of the match with a 28-point lead.
Paynesville battled valiantly in the third term as the breeze died off. Ian Radford and Aaron Cameron were lively in attack, but undisciplined play from Lakes gifted David Marks a goal and Jason McCloy was left unmanned at a contest and made the Seagulls pay.
A 50m penalty gifted Crittenden a goal for Lakes, steadying the ship as it went into the final change with a 19-point advantage.
Both sides went at the ball ferociously in the final term, with Paynesville using the slight breeze to advantage time and time again, only to miss some simple chances.
All players were under pressure when they had the ball in their hands and the tackling was intense.
Radford kicked a long goal for the Gulls, but Lakes hit back when Kennedy got a free kick in the goal square.
The final minutes were played on the clubroom side wing, as both sides fought to get the hard ball.
Eventually the siren sounded and Lakes had its first win, and Paynesville its first loss.
James Beha was without doubt the best player on the ground. He was dominant in the ruck and took near enough to 20 contested marks around the ground and more importantly, in defence.
John Hooper was impressive deep in defence in his return to the senior side, while full back Jeff Van Den Oever stood tall when his side needed it. Kennedy kicked three for Lakes with Dugins chiming in with two.
RESERVES
The seconds showed they could match the Gulls in some stages of the game, but couldn't put in a four-quarter effort, falling 35 points short.
Lakes started off slowly, not booting a goal until halfway through the second quarter, with Dylan Paten soccering through a loose ball in the goal square.
Lakes felt the hard-hitting effects with Adam Anketell going down early with a bad ankle, and Chris Bulmer injuring his knee, but it was then Dave Anketell's time to shine, giving the Seagulls the drive out of the midfield.
Dave booted three majors, with Paten, Rowan Sproule and Trevor Edwards kicking singles.
Tom Bulmer was solid in defence for Lakes, but it was Anketell who was named best afield, with Luke Guarnaccia, Sellings and Chris Mathers putting in good performances.
The thirds had the bye.
Last Modified on 14/05/2012 16:58