Shortland take control of second place after late surge in fast-paced thriller against Belmont

As the battle for the first and second seeds continue to rage in the tail-end of the regular season, a key match-up between Shortland and Belmont came down to the wire, with the Scotchies claiming a three-set bounce in the game's final gasp to secure three vital points.
For most of the 15-set clash however, Shortland were blocked at every turn by the Beavers, who came into the contest on a five-match winning streak.
Shortland began the match in the ascendancy, claiming the opening two set points in what would be one of only two times they strung more than a single victory together, before Belmont knocked two back onto the scoreboard to level the score.
The struggle continued with one-of-one set trades deep into the second half, including a chance for Shortland to take control of the tie with a sudden-death round falling to Belmont after a mistake in the opening rush saw a Scotchies runner called out for stepping the line.
Missing captain Nic Price and stalwart Gorgia Watkins, Belmont were expecting a difficult run out against their top-table rivals, but concerns around their absences were quickly dissipated as vice-captain Liam Janczuk put in a vocal and commanding performance to keep the Beavers in the game.
He was joined as key performers for the Season 10 runners-up by Keagan Jones and Maddie Jordan, both of whom single-handedly claimed set points for the now-third placed squad.
Their brilliance in the middle stage of the match wasn't enough however, as Hannah Trypas and Brady Ainsworth - both of whom claimed MVP points for their victory - guided Shortland back into second place on the ladder, and a leg up in the run in to playoffs.
Elsewhere in Round 11, defending champions and league leaders Hamilton were pushed to their limits against a dominant Kotara outfit, led by Team of the Season hopefuls Zac Oke and Isaac Davis.
The Kings bounced out to a 5-1 lead early in the contest, before Hamilton claimed two close sets to bring the difference back to just two at the half-break.
Kotara commanded the lead again in the second, as they ballooned their lead back out with three strong set victories off the back of a solo performance from Zac Oke in the opening bout of the second half, as well as a key double-catch from Jacinta Mantle.
The upset, one that would have dropped Hamilton back into the mix for top four, wasn't to be however, as Harry Gibson and Benjamin McIntyre guided the Stags to a late 9-8 comeback in the final two sets, swapping the scoreline from a one point deficit for the champions to a one point triumph.
Also on Thursday evening, Raymond Terrace triumphed over Cooks Hill, 10-3, to keep a two point buffer over Kotara in fifth place, while Waratah moved level with Belmont off the back of a 10-4 victory over Bar Beach.
STANDINGS: Hamilton (31), Shortland (29), Belmont, Waratah (27), Raymond Terrace (19), Kotara (17), Cooks Hill, Bar Beach (13).

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