Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault Lions claim victory over Harvey Bulls in inaugural Sam Strano Cup

It was a game to remember on Saturday at Brunswick Oval as the two Harvey Shire teams went head to head for an inaugural cup title.

Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault played host to the Harvey Bulls in a thrilling match to decide who would claim the Sam Strano Cup for the first time.

There was a clear desire within the home club to score a win in honour of the late HBL life member, but the league side would face the challenge of former AFL player Harley Bennell returning to the Bulls for the first time since last year.

It was the visitors who had the advantage in the first term, kicking four goals to a single goal managed by the Lions.

With the cup at risk of falling out of HBL’s grasp, the home side staged a fight back in the second quarter and kicked six goals to lead 7.4 (46) to 6.2 (38) at half-time.

The Bulls were not going to give up easily, with the third quarter characterised by the up-the-road rivals clipping at the Lions’ heels.

However, every goal-scoring opportunity by Harvey was counteracted by HBL, keeping the margin at eight points going into the final break.

The Lions’ determination proved too much for the Bulls in the fourth quarter as the team racked up enough unanswered goals to finish the game with a 15.9 (99) to 12.8 (80) victory.

Bulls forward Brad Holmes just pipped Lions counterpart Jarrod Humphries as the leading goal scorer of the match, kicking seven to Humphries’ six.

It was emotional in the HBL changerooms following the win, with memories of the late Sam Strano being shared.

The win has seen the Lions jump ahead of the Bulls on the SWFL league ladder, with the teams now seventh and eight respectively.