The Doncaster Dragons took a huge step towards their goal of winning the Summer League Division 2 title with a thrilling walkoff win over Williamstown at Deep Creek on Sunday.

Playing in front of a big crowd on Past Players’, Life Members’ and Sponsors Day, the Dragons underlined how much they had improved with a 7-6 win, in stark contrast to their 12-2 defeat when the same two teams played early in the season.

It was a complete team effort, with every player in the Doncaster starting lineup getting at least one hit or RBI. 

For the second time in four days they trailed 6-5 going into the bottom of the last inning. After a last gasp win on Thursday night against Bonbeach the Dragons got things going with a one-out base hit by Billy Findlay. A wild pitch put him in scoring position, then Marcel D’Avoine tied the game with an RBI single. 

After pinch-hitter Jean Alvarado was hit by a pitch and Liam Robertson walked, up stepped second baseman Angus Cooke, whose hard shot to third base was not handled cleanly, allowing the winning run to score.

Starting pitcher John Britton was again impressive against a strong-hitting lineup. He threw six innings, allowing four runs on nine hits and one walk, with five strikeouts. Brian Chen relived, allowing two runs in two innings, and D’Avoine pitched a scoreless ninth to earn the win.

The win consolidated Doncaster’s place at the top of the ladder, just ahead of Cheltenham. The final game of the regular season will be at Port Melbourne next Saturday.