Both the Bears and the Lions are finals aspirants this season and headed into the clash in fifth and sixth respectively on the ladder, making it a pivotal one in the race to September.
The two sides had met in round four, which Shepparton had won convincingly by 15 goals on the Lions’ home court, and Seymour was looking to return the favour this time around at Deakin Reserve.
It was a tightly contested affair in the first term, although it was the Bears who got the jump, leading 15-12 at quarter-time off the back of 12 goals to superstar Kim Borger.
However, there were positive signs for the Lions with Ellie Fuhrmeister and Ruby Martin working well together inside the semi-circle.
The pair continued to impress in the second term, with a period of five unanswered goals giving the Lions the lead momentarily, but Shepparton was able to respond just before half-time to ensure the scores were level at 25-apiece at the main break.
The Lions continued to put in the hard yards in the third quarter, exchanging the lead constantly with the Bears, and it was Seymour that carried a one-goal advantage into the final term.
But it very quickly evaporated as Shepparton flicked a switch to dominate the early part of the fourth quarter to race out to a four-goal lead which, despite the best efforts of the Lions all over the court, could not be recovered. Seymour eventually went down 40-44.
The loss means Seymour’s position in finals is not yet sewn up, although the side remains well positioned to clinch a spot in September having ended the round in sixth spot on eight wins and six losses.
The Lions maintain a one-game advantage over Shepparton Swans and Shepparton United, although they do have a game in hand, which will be levelled out following the completion of the split round 16.
Seymour will host in-form reigning premier Echuca next weekend at Kings Park and will look to improve on their last match-up, when the Lions went down by 18 goals to the Murray Bombers just a fortnight ago at Victoria Park.
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