A goal in the dying minutes of the game helped Box Hill get over the line against a fast-finishing Sandringham side on Saturday at Box Hill City Oval, 12.11.83 to 12.6.78.
Box Hill seemed to be in control for most of the day, leading by 18, 21 and 22 points at quarter time, half time and three quarter time respectively.
It wasn’t until Sandringham kicked six last-quarter goals to Box Hill’s three that it seemed like the Hawks weren’t in control.
Although the game started in a very congested manner, Box Hill had early inside 50’s which they made the most of in the first term.
The Hawks were taking their time and bringing the ball around the boundary which resulted in shots being taken from tight angles.
Sandringham tried to be more direct by taking the ball down the corridor at every opportunity, while on a few occasions the Zebras’ turnovers in the corridor lead directly to Box Hill goals.
The Hawks did well to lock their ball in their forward half early in the second quarter as a direct result of Max Bailey’s great tap-work around the stoppages, feeding Rick Ladson and Tom Schneider who were getting the ball into the Hawks’ forward 50.
The Zebras worked their way back late in the second quarter with two goals on the trot after trailing by 33 points at the 19-minute mark, bringing the margin back to only 21 points at half time.
The third quarter was the Hawks’ most disappointing. From 15 inside 50’s they could only manage 1.3 for the quarter, with none of the Hawks’ marking targets making use of the ball being delivered to them.
The Hawks were up by 22 points heading into the last quarter.
The Zebras came out and kicked the first three goals of the third term to increase the pressure on the Hawks, having five inside 50’s and three goals at the eight-minute mark of the final term.
It seemed as if the Hawks lost their run early in the last quarter, but a goal from first gamer Jackson Sketcher at the nine minute mark revived the Hawks.
Rick Ladson showed a touch of class under pressure, spotting Jordan Lisle amongst a pack who was able to mark and covert for the Hawks.
With 90 seconds to go in the final term, a huge collision between Adam Pattinson and Tom Lynch in the Hawks’ forward 50 stopped the play for several minutes, as Lynch was knocked out and stretchered off after a flying mark from Pattinson.
With less than a minute remaining, Paul Johnson bombed the ball out of the Hawks’ defensive 50 to the wing.
The Hawks didn’t panic, but ran the ball deep inside the forward 50 where Rick Ladson fired off a handball under pressure to Hayden Kiel who snared the match winner for the Hawks.
It was a much needed win for the Hawks, who now have two wins from five games.
The Hawks travel to North Ballarat on Saturday 21 May to take on the Roosters in another must-win match.
Box Hill: 4.2/8.6/9.9/12.11.83
Sandringham: 1.2/5.3/6.5/12.6.78
Best: Rick Ladson, Max Bailey, Tom Schneider, Sam Gibson, Hayden Kiel
