In trying conditions at Casey Fields, the Casey Scorpions snatched victory from the Box Hill Hawks with a 14-point win, 13.9.(87) to 11.7.(73).

Melbourne-listed Lynden Dunn took the Hawks to the cleaners, kicking eight goals and finishing off the job with a goal in the 28th minute of the final term.

Box Hill had their opportunities late in the match, but the cruel weather and constant stoppages defeated the Hawks' chances of getting the vital goals needed.

The match was a war of attrition with in and under football, with fierce tackling pressure a highlight of the clash.

Swamped by torrential rain, Casey Fields was littered with puddles around the ground which resulted in a tough wet-weather VFL football spectacle.

Space was a rarity in stages, with fifty-metre arcs swarmed with players, as clustered packs filled parts of the ground.

Taking a 13-point lead to the first term break, Box Hill was in control.

Casey Scorpions had lost Melbourne forward, Michael Newton, to injury which only helped the Hawks cause.

Down a man, Casey marched on, reducing Box Hill’s lead to seven points early in the second. For a short period, the heavens opened up, but it was quick to move back to its initial state with rain teeming down to saturate Casey Fields with plummeting rain.

Box Hill moved forward with goals to Luke Breust and Sam Gibson creating a 12-point buffer mid-way through the term.

Casey replied to cut Box Hill’s lead to a single goal at half-time.  

Only managing two points in the third term, Casey took the match away from the Hawks with five goals, to create a gap too big for Box Hill to make up.

Box Hill struggled to get the ball forward of centre, with play being run on Casey’s terms remaining in their half.

Although finishing strongly, the Hawks won the final term kicking four goals to two, including a long-range goal from fifty through Matt Suckling.

Few goals were scored from long range set-shots, with many coming close to goal from toe-pokes or on the run.

Both teams found it difficult to complete marks, and used tactics such as kicking long right into the hot-spot, as the rain continued to bucket down.

Matt Suckling was the best performer for the Hawks with an all round game collecting 20 disposals and three goals.

Luke Andrews (23) followed suit in the slushy conditions, making the most of another senior opportunity with a strong performance. 

Box Hill hard-man, Ed Curnow (20), Hawthorn defender Ryan Schoenmakers (15) and Rookie Luke Breust (three goals) stepped up in difficult conditions.

Versatile, Cameron Pedersen in the ruck was also impressive with 15 disposals and 21 hitouts with some great spoiling and clean ball work on the damp Casey Fields Oval. 

The VFL season does not get any easier for Box Hill with the Bendigo Bombers and Collingwood in the next two rounds.

Every win will be important for the Hawks approaching the middle of the VFL season, in a very even VFL season.

Next week, Box Hill move back home to the Box Hill City Oval to face Bendigo Bombers on Sunday 13 June.

The Bombers side have lost their last two games without Coach Shannon Grant who is under a club imposed suspension.

Casey Scorpions: 2.2 / 6.4 / 11.7 / 13.9.87 
Box Hill Hawks: 4.3 / 7.4 / 7.6 / 11.7.73   

Goals: L. Breust 3, M. Suckling 3, S. Gibson 2, B. Smithwick, B. Muston, E. Curnow

Best: M. Suckling, E. Curnow, L. Andrews, C. Pedersen, R. Schoenmakers, L. Breust