Williamstown’s mid-season run of good form came to a sudden halt in a 21-point loss to Box Hill Hawks in the VFL on Saturday.
The Seagulls were far from disgraced as they pushed the reigning premier throughout the match, even looking a likely winner at times. But the result was still a 14.9 (93) to 10.12 (72).
The result leaves Williamstown (6-4) in fourth place as one of three teams on 24 points, behind Footscray Bulldogs and ahead of Collingwood on percentage.
The Seagulls didn’t make a great start and the early stages at Box Hill City Oval proved tough as the Hawks jumped out to a 15-point lead by the first break.
From there the Seagulls were able to find their groove, beginning to look more assured.
Williamstown closed the margin to nine points at the main break before producing some of its best football in a blistering third term.
The Seagulls managed to shut the Hawks down at the defensive end and conceded only one goal for the quarter while booting four themselves to take a 10-point lead into the final break.
But in pouring rain, Box Hill managed to overrun Williamstown in the final 15 minutes, kicking six goals to one.
In a match played under finals-like intensity, Ben Davies again showed his class to be one of the best players for the Seagulls.
Around the ground, Kane Lambert was also strong while forward Scott Clouston continued his good year with a bag of three.
He has kicked 19 goals from nine matches this season.
For Box Hill, Sam Iles was hard to stop, producing yet another strong game for the Hawks. He was well supported by Dallas Willsmore, who kicked four goals.
When round 11 begins this weekend, the Seagulls will take on Sandringham at Burbank Oval on Sunday.
In other VFL results, the Footscray Bulldogs produced arguably their best win since going standalone, defeating Port Melbourne by 36 points.
Travelling to one of the competition’s toughest venues at North Port Oval didn’t bother the young Bulldogs, who played some outstanding football on their way to the 19.8 (122) to 13.8 (86) win.
