The Sunbury Lions got the win they needed after a few tough weeks in the Ballarat Football League.
Having dropped three of their past four games, the Lions were back at home on Saturday against Ballarat.
It wasn’t great signs early for the Lions but they were able to turn it around to come away with a 10.8 (68)-8.11 (59) win.
Lions coach Matt White was happy to come away with the points.
“We had a bad start and before we were good in the second quarter and we were happy to get the win in the end.
“There was some good ball movement in there but it was a really grinding game and we got away in the end.”
White said the group got a wake up call at quarter time after finding themselves down, 26-0.
He said the conditions weren’t too bad considering some others across the region and the competition.
“Their contested possession was really good and they scored on us in the first quarter,” he said.
“We were able to rectify that after quarter time and according to our stats we were able to win the contested possession in the end.
“We were able to get a lead and then were able to maintain it.”
Jake Sutton kicked five goals for the Lions including one after running down the wing.
White said he did Jake Sutton things as he was among their best.
Murphy Boyd, who moved from defence to the forward line, was really strong as well with two goals, while White said Zachary Stevens played his best senior game.
White said the defence led by Tyson Lever was strong while a lot of the young players showed some encouraging signs.
White said the win would give the group a bit more confidence heading into the back end of the season.
“It’s good to get some belief in a close game like that,” he said. “Ballarat is a good side, but not getting the wins.
“They are a scoring threat especially after us in the last 12 to 18 months. It was nice to grind in a win after two losses.”
The Lions remain in fourth spot.
The Lions this week face Sebastopol.
“They had a slow start to the year with a lot of injuries but have now got their game up and going.
“It’s another trip up the highway for the fourth time in six weeks. We’ll round out our Ballarat trips.”
In the A-grade netball, the Lions had an 87-45 win against Ballarat.
Rebecca Hicks shot all but one goal for the Lions in the win.
