After a number of close losses, Bundoora held its composure to get its first win of the Northern Football League division 1 competition on Saturday.
Both the Bulls and South Morang entered Saturday’s match keen to get their first of the season and it was the Bulls that came out on top.
For Bulls coach Heath Scotland, there was some excitement and some relief to get the win on the board.
“The boys have been going pretty hard and not getting the results the first four weeks,” he said. “Yesterday [Saturday] was just pleasing that we could finish it off and get the monkey off the back.
“The boys have been really good the first four weeks but haven’t been able to close it out. We’ve been in front at three quarter time, in all five games including yesterday [Saturday].
“We’ve been thereabouts. The pleasing thing was the lessons learned from the first four weeks and seeing the boys put them into play and close out the game when South Morang did come at us.
“It was good that the boys kept their composure and were able to put some scoreboard pressure on.”
Scotland said there was so much riding on the game and both teams had a real red hot crack.
He said he thought the skill level was quite high from both sides and the contest was strong.
“It was a seesawing game with momentum swings,” he said. “We were able to be OK with the scoreboard pressure and had a couple of goal lead throughout most of the game which made a bit of a difference so when they got a run on, we hit the scoreboard again to take the pressure off.”
Jesse King kicked six goals for the Bulls in a best on ground performance.
Lachlan Urbon, Liam Mallia and Jack Briskey were other standouts for the Bulls.
Nathan Stefanile, Kain Hall and Kobe Van Zwienen were named the Lions best.
Scotland said learning to win was really important and was something they were hoping to continue on now.
“Our form has been pretty good, we’ve been in every game and had opportunities to win every game.
“Getting that win now gives a bit of confidence and self belief to the playing group, something we can hopefully maintain that form we’ve put out and continue with the wins.
“We’ve got a tough five weeks coming up, with some quality sides and we’ve got to hope that we can put ourselves in the contest and opportunities to win in those games going forward.”
The first of those upcoming challenges is this Saturday against Montmorency.
Scotland said it was always a big hit out between the two clubs.
Meanwhile in division 2, Whittlesea kept its good form going against Thomastown, winning 10.14 (74)-5.15 (45).
The tough run continued for Old Paradians, which lost to Lower Plenty, 13.6 (84)-2/8 (20).
Laurimar was among the winners in division 3, while Epping and Lalor suffered losses.
