Sunbury holds off fast-finishing Sebastopol to move back into Ballarat Football League top six

Two goals were good enough for Sunbury to claim four points in blizzard-like conditions at Clarke Oval, the Lions holding off a fast-finishing Sebastopol to move back into the BFL top six.

Greg Hay in action for Sunbury. Picture: David Crosling

Sunbury ground out a nail-biting one-point win over finals rival Sebastopol on Saturday.

The Lions have returned to the top six, equal on points with the Burras and Melton, as the Ballarat Football League finals race hots up.

In a remarkable match, played in blizzard-like conditions, Sunbury kicked fewer goals than its opponent but still prevailed 2.12 (24) to 3.5 (23).

Sebastopol was goalless at three-quarter-time but almost pinched the four points at Clarke Oval with a final-quarter charge.

Lions coach Travis Hodgson lamented some poor discipline in the final quarter that allowed Sebastopol back into the contest.

Greg Hay in action for Sunbury. Picture: David Crosling

“I can’t remember being a part of a side that won with two goals. It was more like soccer than footy, pretty hard to score,” he said.

“The third quarter was the quarter we had our chance to put them away and didn’t take it, we kicked 1.6 with the wind.

“Four of their five shots for goal in the last quarter came from free kicks, and in such a low scoring game free kicks that result in goals hurt.

“Whether they were there or not is not for me to judge, you could hardly see anyway in the conditions.”

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Given the adverse conditions, the decision was made pre-match to play with a yellow ball under lights.

Both teams were goalless in the first quarter before Sunbury broke the deadlock in the second term.

However, the Lions were unable to capitalise on their third-quarter dominance, taking a 18-point lead into the final break.

The Burras piled on 3.1 to roar back into the contest as Sunbury added 0.2 to hold on by the slimmest of margins.

Alik Magin in action for Sunbury. Picture: Mark Wilson

Mitch Conn, Jack Landt and Lachie Bramble impressed while Greg Hay continued his fine form in midfield.

The win was even more important with Sunbury on a bye this weekend. Teams with the bye gain four points, which should strengthen the Lions’ position in the top six.

“Our percentage is just average, but we jumped Bacchus Marsh and got ourselves into the sixth, equal with Sebastopol and Melton,” Hodgson said.

“We’re the only team that hasn’t had (a bye) yet … and we’ve got our next one between our second last and last game.”

Sunbury will next face East Point on July 13.

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