SANDRINGHAM has defeated Werribee by 13 points at Avalon Airport oval, further enhancing their prospects of a top four finish in season 2015.
Another poor start and the absence of injured skipper Adam Cockie meant the visitors faced a challenging task to win away from home.
Despite Sandringham kicking the first goal of the game three minutes in, the Tigers responded with four of their own before a Blake Acres major brought the margin back to 12 points at quarter time.
Back to back goals from the Zebras to start the second term levelled the scores, the highlight a running goal by Daniel Markworth (23 disposals, 1 goal) who showed composure and class to execute under pressure.
Become a member today! Call 1300 GO SAINTS or visit HERE.
The Tigers hit back to take a the lead through Matthew Munro, before Trent Dennis-Lane's set shot drew the Zebras level right on half-time.
The see-sawing contest continued into the third term with the Tigers edging ahead by 12 points after consecutive goals to start the second half.
Brodie Murdoch got the Zebras on the board with his first major and most importantly got them within five points at the 16-minute mark.
The visitors continued the momentum with goals to Mitch Brown (23 disposals, 7 marks, 1 goal) and an ingenious snap from the boundary by Kenny Ong to give Paul Hudson's men a seven-point advantage.
The Tigers put their foot down though, putting through two majors of their own to hold a slender three-point lead at the last change.
The Zebras rallied heading into the last quarter and hit the front at the 13-minute mark, following goals to Ahmed Saad (10 disposals, 2 goals) and Murdoch's second (18 disposals, 2 goals).
Tom Wilkinson goaled to give the Zebras some much needed breathing space, before Ahmed Saad swooped on a Blake Acres kick inside 50 to blow the margin out to 19 points with less than 10 minutes to play.
The Tigers pegged them back to 13 points but once Trent Dennis-Lane gathered a loose ball and hit ruckman Jason Holmes (10 disposals, 7 tackles, 3 marks) for a set shot, the Zebras were home.
Unfortunately for Holmes, his kick missed but the final siren softened any dissapointment for the ruckman and his teammates.
St Kilda Development Coach and Sandringham Coach Paul Hudson couldn't put his finger on the slow start but was pleased with the response.
"It was a great effort to run out the game the way we did," Hudson told SAINTS.com.au.
"Apart from the first quarter we maintained a strong effort in the contest but those poor starts is something we'll continue to work on getting right.
"Darren Minchington (23 disposals, 4 tackles, 1 goal), Brodie Murdoch and Josh Saunders (25 disposals) accumulated a lot of the footy for us and Clint Jones (30 disposals, 8 tackles) was terrific off a back flank along with a really solid contribution from Tom Simpkin (16 disposals, 4 tackles, 3 marks).
"Richmond next week is another challenge for our players. They're in good form and we'll need to bring our best to win."
Sandringham travels to the ME Bank Centre next Saturday to face Richmond.
WERRIBEE TIGERS 4.4 5.7 9.8 11.9 (75)
SANDRINGHAM 2.4 5.7 8.11 12.16 (88)
GOALS: Saad 2, Murdoch 2, Markworth, Minchington, Wilkinson, Ong, Brown, Dennis-Lane, Acres, Ross.
BEST: Saad, Minchington, Murdoch, Saunders, Jones, Simpkin, Ross, Delaney
