Lyndhurst had accomplished yet another unpredictable victory holding off South Mornington 10.7(67) to 7.12(54) in Southern Division 3.
Seven goals to one in the first half buried the Tigers’ spirit despite a second-half fightback.
The Lightning’s coach, Andy Clarke, is working to achieve consistency within his side’s performance.
“Our intensity dropped off a little bit in the second half and their work rate lifted,” he said.
“I spoke to their coach about it, our poor is poor but our good is good.”
Downplaying the win at first, Clarke recognised the positives from his side out of the weekend.
“We just won the ball at the clearances…it makes it hard for the opposition to score when you go forward and keep it inside 50 for everyone to have a rest which is nice to see.
“That was the plan and it worked.”
In particular, Clarke pinpointed two players who stepped up instrumentally on the weekend.
“Everyone knows about Jack Hazendonk, he was outstanding on the weekend, that was his best game of the year,” he said.
“A bloke that goes a bit unheralded for us is Stephen Williams, he ran with (Chris) Baker all day and got on the end of it himself a bit, I thought he was outstanding.”
After a rocky start, Lyndhurst has resurrected their season.
Berwick Springs has exposed another chink in its armour, this time suffering a third consecutive loss against Hampton 10.14(74) to 13.13(91).
The Titans had a massive third quarter to lead by three points at three-quarter time but fell away in the last quarter by 23 points.
Ty Ellison contributed three goals for Berwick Springs, with Cameron Miller and Lochie Wrigley performing to their best.
Henry Grenville and Levi Robinson each chipped in with three goals and took best on ground honours.
Heatherton held off a brave Skye in a 14.11(95) to 8.11(59) victory.
Angus Oldaker (four goals) and Matthew Beer’s days culminated in best on ground awards as their side shot up into the top four.
Five goals in the first and third quarters stretched the margin to an unassailable amount for the Bombers to claw back.
Black Rock captured the attention of bystanders in a 97-point walloping of Ashwood 19.16(130) to 4.9(33).
Aaron Cloke hit double-digit heights with 10 goals, more than double his season high, while Blake Gordon and Jai Magennis simply dominated.
The Jets piled on six unanswered goals to rocket into the lead and consolidated from then on.
Maxwell Vanderhorst was best afield for Ashwood.
St Kilda City has added another scalp to their resume, defeating Carrum Patterson Lakes 16.12(108) to 11.11(77).
The game was tight to three-quarter time, until the Saints kicked 6.2 to 2.0 in the last term, putting the game to rest.
The win was catalysed by Kenan Inal (four goals) and Jordie Gray who is in superlative form.
Next round will heat up, with multiple top five matchups on the ladder.
Berwick Springs will visit Carrum Patterson Lakes in an ongoing fight for the top spot.
Despite form issues, Berwick Springs remain a finals-calibre side and can beat anyone on its day.
From Berwick Springs’ three losses, only one side sits within the top five.
Lyndhurst will have a tough assignment at home, welcoming St Kilda City to Marriott Waters Reserve.
Only two games separates these sides, irrespective of their opposite positions on the ladder.
The Saints are 2-3 in their past five matches while Lyndhurst are 3-2.
Results R8: Hampton 13.13(91) def Berwick Springs 10.14(74), Lyndhurst 10.7(67) def South Mornington 7.12(54), Heatherton 14.11(95) def Skye 8.11(59), Black Rock 19.16(130) def Ashwood 4.9(33), St Kilda City 16.12(108) def Carrum Patterson Lakes 11.11(77).
Ladder: Carrum Patterson Lakes 24, St Kilda City 20, Berwick Springs 20, Heatherton 20, Black Rock 16, South Mornington 16, Hampton 12, Lyndhurst 12, Skye 12, Ashwood 8.
Fixture R9 – Saturday 7 June: Carrum Patterson Lakes (1) v Berwick Springs (3), Lyndhurst (8) v St Kilda City (2), Skye (9) v Ashwood (10), South Mornington (6) v Hampton (7), Black Rock (5) v Heatherton (4).
