Williamstown CYMS take it up to undefeated Therry Penola, but fail to snap the Lions’ VAFA Division 1 winning streak, going down by five points at Fearon Reserve

WILLIAMSTOWN CYMS gave ladder-leader Therry Penola a huge fright on the weekend, but it wasn’t enough to break the Lions’ undefeated run, falling five points short in VAFA Division 1 on Saturday.

WILLIAMSTOWN  CYMS gave ladder-leader Therry Penola a huge fright on Saturday, but it wasn’t enough to break the Lions’ undefeated run as it fell five points short in Victorian Amateur Football Association Division 1.

With a breeze blowing across Fearon Reserve, it was the home side that drew first blood, kicking two goals in the opening term to hold a three-point lead at quarter-time.

Lions full-forward Corey Bannister bobbed up in the second quarter, helping Therry gain a two-goal lead at the main break.

It was to be the biggest margin for the match, as the CYs kicked three goals to one in the third term to cut the gap back to just one point at the final change.

But Bannister stood up again, booting his fourth major, and a clutch goal by Adam Marangon sealed a 7.12 (54) to 6.13 (49) victory for the Lions.

Jack Gray was a standout for the CYs, while the ruck duel between Steven Puhar and Therry’s Jerome White was a highlight in the high-stoppage game.

Williamstown CYMS coach Matthew Montebello said it was his side’s most consistent game for the year.

“It was one of those games, where the lead changed every quarter,” Montebello said.

“We’ve been setting ourselves for this one. Last time we played them we were a little underdone.”

Competition-leading goalkicker Jarrod Bannister booted eight goals in Therry’s 70-point win over the CYs in Round 4, but was kept to just one goal by Kurt Scown on Saturday.

The loss keeps the CYs in second spot with just four matches left, a game clear of third-placed NOBS/St Pats.

Montebello said his side proved they can match in with the undefeated Lions, who they will face in a qualifying final should they hold second spot.

“There was only one kick in it,” he said.

“They (Therry Penola) have shown they don’t turn off and on. We’ll need a four-quarter effort.”

The coach has no qualms that his side can produce a similar effort on a bigger ground come finals time.

“We’re a very different side to last year,” Montebello said.

“We spent summer working on our overlap run. We probably showed against NOBS/St Pats and Old Geelong that we can play well on a bigger ground.”

The CYs will start hot favourites against bottom-placed Melbourne High School Old Boys away from home on Saturday.