Having faced the top three sides over the previous four rounds for two losses and a draw, it was another tough assignment for the Lions on Saturday at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, with the Cats also in and around the top four mix in the early part of the season.
But it was the Lions who emerged with the four points, clinching a 46-40 victory in a thoroughly entertaining contest that wasn’t decided until the final quarter.
Neither side was able to establish itself in the opening few minutes of the contest, going goal-for-goal before the Seymour combination of Ally Black and Ellie Fuhrmeister put through six of the last seven goals of the quarter to open up an 11-6 lead for the visitor at the first break.
The hot streak continued early in the second as the Lions began to dominate across the court, putting through another six unanswered goals and stretching the advantage to 11, threatening to run away with the game.
But Mooroopna lifted when it needed to, digging in and finding a run of its own to draw back within three by half-time, with Seymour ahead 21-18 at the main break.
It had been back and forth in the first half and nothing changed as the two adversaries returned to the court for the second, with the margin continuing to ebb and flow throughout the first term, at one point extending to six goals in favour of Seymour, before Mooroopna reeled it back in, closing it down to just two goals by three-quarter time.
The stage was set for an epic final quarter wrestle with plenty on the line too, as both sides were in search of win number five and desperate to stay in touch with the runaway duo of Euroa and Shepparton at the top.
But a stunning opening stretch from the Lions ensured they would take the points on the road, with their formidable shooting duo of Black and Fuhrmeister capitalising on the brilliant work through the defensive third and midcourt to pile on 11 of the first 14 goals, the margin ballooning to 10 goals at its peak early in the final term.
While Mooroopna closed back to within five goals late, the withering burst from Seymour had created a large enough buffer that it mattered little and the Lions secured their first win since round five to remain in fourth spot through eight rounds.
Black was among the best for her work in goal attack, while coach Casey Adamson was also influential through the midcourt and Sarah Szczykulski, fresh off captaining the GVL to a huge interleague win over Ovens and Murray, was in superb form at goal keeper, ensuring no easy looks for the Mooroopna attack.
The next fortnight will see the Lions play at home, hosting Benalla this weekend before taking on Rochester the week after, as they look to continue racking up the wins amid a tight battle for the top six positions on the ladder.
