Travelling to Tongala Recreation Reserve on Saturday to take on ladder-leader Echuca, the Lions acquitted themselves well, but were left to rue a disappointing third term, which ultimately proved the difference in the 34-44 defeat.
With a full-strength line-up back to take on the Murray Bombers, as well as a more than handy goal keeper in former Wellman medallist Sarah Szczykulski taking to the court for her second outing of the season in the Seymour dress, the Lions made a brilliant start to the contest.
The back and forth start saw both sides enjoy a taste of the lead, but it was the Lions that took the advantage into the first break, scoring five of the last eight goals to lead 9-8 at quarter-time.
It was a tense affair with neither side willing to give an inch and it showed in the second term, as barring a run of three goals to Echuca, there was no opportunity for anyone to make a definitive break. That was reflected in the half-time score, which was all tied up at 18-apiece.
The Lions had certainly brought their best to the clash and immediately after half-time looked to have finally cracked the contest open, pouring in the first four goals of the third term to lead 22-18.
However, what followed next was 10 minutes of complete domination from the hosts, who flipped the contest on its head.
Seymour had no answers during this period as the Murray Bombers piled on 14 unanswered goals, racing to a game-high 10-goal lead. While Seymour cut the margin to nine at the final change, the lapse in the middle of the quarter looked to have put paid to its chances of causing a big upset.
Echuca started the final term strongly to extend the advantage to 12, the highest margin of any point in the contest, but the Lions were able to halve the deficit in quick fashion, getting back to 30-36 in arrears with nine minutes left. Suddenly they were right back in the hunt.
But they were unable to sustain the intensity in the face of Echuca’s pressure and the home side ran out the contest safely, handing Seymour the 10-goal loss.
Ruby Martin was superb in defeat for the Lions, shooting 25 of their 34 goals, while Sarah Thorpe was equally as good at wing defence, holding her own against a formidable Echuca midcourt.
Szczykulski made her impact felt, too, named among the best for her role in helping contain dangerous Echuca shooter Sheridan Townrow.
The Lions maintain their fourth spot on the ladder despite the loss after fifth-placed Tatura failed to overcome Shepparton United, although the Bulldogs, Mansfield and Shepparton all sit just one game back from Seymour in the race for the top six, with the Eagles holding a game in hand.
The Lions will enjoy a week off to regroup before facing Shepparton Swans in the penultimate round of the season, before a finals-shaping clash against Tatura in round 18.
