The Lions made it 10 straight victories on Saturday to ensure they would finish no lower than third on the ladder; however, they were made to work for the win, staving off a fierce Tatura comeback to clinch a 45-42 thriller over the fourth-placed Bulldogs at Tatura Park.
With the news of coach Casey Adamson’s signing of a Super Netball contract with the Giants spurring them on, the Lions raced to a six-goal lead midway through the first term, and while the Bulldogs clawed back most of the deficit, Seymour still had its nose in front at quarter time by a goal.
The tight tussle between third and fourth on the ladder that was expected heading into the contest had played out in the first term, but Seymour blew the game wide open with a devastating spell to start the second quarter.
With Ruby Martin and Sarah Szczykulski intercepting everything that came their way in the defensive end, the midcourters firing the ball up the court with plenty of zip, and superb finishing from Ellie Fuhrmeister and Ally Black inside the circle, the Lions poured in 10 of the first 12 goals to start the second term, creating an eight-goal advantage by half time, leading 27-19.
It was plausible that Seymour would run away with the contest after the main break given the ascendancy it enjoyed in the first half, but Tatura found another gear and responded, getting back on level terms around the court in the third quarter and cutting into the margin slowly but surely, reducing the Lions’ advantage to five goals by three quarter time, ahead 37-32.
The sniff of a comeback victory, however, propelled the Bulldogs, with Seymour conceding four of the first five goals of the last quarter to see its lead dwindle to just two goals.
It was back and forth as the two sides traded scores, before a mini run allowed the Lions to reinstate the five-goal advantage they enjoyed at the last break, and while Tatura managed to close again late, it was the Lions that rejoiced at the final whistle, holding on for a nail-biting three-goal win, their 10th straight.
The victory moves Seymour three wins clear of fourth-placed Tatura ahead of the final round, ensuring it will at worst finish third, but crucially keeps the Lions half a win behind reigning premier Euroa in second, meaning they are still a chance to finish top two.
Seymour will host Shepparton at Kings Park this weekend in a blockbuster clash that is as good as a final, with the 10-game winning streak of the Lions to be tested against the unbeaten Bears, who have proved formidable across the entire season.
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