Williamstown Seagulls held off a last minute surge by Sandringham Zebras to emerge with the four points at Trevor Barker Oval on Sunday - securing their first back to back victory in Season 2012.
In windy conditions Williamstown kicked the last three goals in the final term to cement their 19 point defeat over the Zebras.
Amongst the eight changes made to the side that defeated North Ballarat in round four were Matthew Panos and Andrew Hooper who returned to the Seagulls line-up.
The Seagulls dominated the play from the outset but did not capitalise on the scoreboard until the second half of the first term with the likes of Jamie McNamara and Andrew Hooper creating a 32 point lead.
Zephaniah Skinner opened the scoring in the second quarter while Seagulls defenders Stephen Witkowski, Michael Talia and James Wall fought hard to keep the Zebra’s dangerous looking forward line at bay.
Sandringham momentarily broke through Williamstown’s strong defensive efforts and replied with three goals in quick succession setting the home crowd alight.
The swing in momentum did not last long as Williamstown maintained the lead going into the half time break with a couple of late goals extending the margin back to 27 points.
After a first half of relentless pressure on the ball carrier the Seagulls dropped their guard in the third quarter allowing the Zebra’s to inflict some damage into the breeze.
Three goals a-piece in the quarter saw Sandringham gain a momentum shift with the aid of the wind and their home crowd behind them in the last.
Tom Campbell was continuing to dominate around the stoppages, amassing 41 hit outs for the day along with 16 possessions.
The game was set up for a thrilling finish heading into the last quarter.
Buoyed by their home crowd, the Zebra’s started the stronger of the two sides repeatedly pumping the ball inside their forward 50.
The home side kicked the first 3 goals of the last quarter and were searching for more as the pressure built on the Seagulls - but Williamstown’s defence held firm.
Williamstown Captain Ben Jolley slotted one through on the run to create some breathing space which spurred on two more goals from the Seagulls outfit.
As torrential rain and lightning engulfed Trevor Barker Oval the match was up for grabs at the 27 minute mark with just the solitary point the difference.
Vice-Captain Brett Goodes won a crucial centre clearance kicking long in the direction of Skinner who ducked and weaved around two opponents before snapping an exceptional goal in the wet conditions to see the margin out to 7 points.
A Tom Hill mark and goal from the goal square and another piece of Skinner magic from the boundary line saw the Seagulls in front by 19 points when the final siren went much to the delight of the travelling Williamstown faithful.
Next week, another massive test for the young Williamstown side with a trip up the highway to Werribee for what promises to be another fiercely contested western derby.
Sandringham 0.2 3.10 6.12 11.16 (82)
Williamstown 5.4 8.7 11.10 15.11 (101)
GOALS:
Williamstown: SKINNER 3 Hooper 3 McNamara 2 Hill 2 Greenwood Cravino Jolley Redpath Dickson
BEST:
Williamstown: Witkowski McNamara Campbell Wall Jolley Hooper
