Gisborne senior footballers had to pull out all stops to keep a resolute Golden Square at bay on Saturday.
Earlier in the season the Bulldogs won by eight goals but this time the match was at Square’s home ground in Wade Street.
Coming off a runaway margin of 127 points against Golden Square, Gisborne soon found there was no room for complacency despite early goals.
By half-time the margin was five points, and a real battle was looming.
Gisborne had a good third term and rammed home five goals to a solitary point to have the outcome under control.
While the home side finished well, it was a 14.10 (94) to 11.9 (75) outcome.
Ultra-consistent ball winner Flynn Lakey was named as Gisborne’s best, with captain Jack Reaper, Jack Scanlon, Brad Bernacki, Frank Schipano and surprise packet Dylan Johnstone (five goals) also rated highly.
This Saturday, Eaglehawk will be welcomed to Gardiner Reserve, with Gisborne out to make it 12 wins in succession.
Sandhurst and Gisborne both have lost just one match, but the Dragons have a far superior percentage keeping them in top place.
At full strength, Gisborne has the credentials to make a strong bid for back-to-back flags.
The Reserves match was rather one-sided, with Gisborne 8.5 too strong for third-placed Square 3.1.
In the Under 19s, second-placed Golden Square proved superior, defeating third-placed Gisborne 9.9 to 4.5.
