By RUSSELL BENNETT
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
WARRAGUL has clinched its first win of the 2015 season, and its first in over 12 months, with a morale-boosting four-goal win over the Lions in Moe – 13.10 (88) to 9.10 (64).
Prior to Saturday’s result, the Gulls last experienced the sweet taste of victory in the corresponding Round 10 last year – that time a four-goal win over local rivals Drouin on 21 June.
The Gulls came to life on Saturday with a five-goal second term that took them from a 10-point deficit at quarter-time to a nine-point lead at the half. They then continued to extend that margin as the contest wore on, with Gippsland Power trio Josh Patullo (4 goals), Tom Hobbs and Dylan Proctor all proving instrumental alongside mainstays Chris Carey and Brad Scalzo.
Drouin, meanwhile, roared out of the blocks against Bairnsdale in their Round-10 clash – booting six straight majors in the first term.
But the flood of goals dried up from the second-quarter onwards, with the Hawks adding just eight more for the remainder of the contest – going down 17.11 (113) to 14.3 (87).
Bob McCallum’s men led by three points at quarter-time and still clung on to a two-point advantage at half time. In a tight, entertaining affair, the Redlegs were really only able to break free in the final term.
McCallum was again outstanding for the Hawks, while Luke Duffy also continued his consistent play. Up forward, Ben Hughes took his season goal-kicking tally to 31 with another bag of five.
