REIGNING premier Kybybolite has taken hold of top spot on the Limestone Coast Women’s Football League ladder, to now sit above both Millicent and Mundulla by percentage.
That comes after an 11-point victory over the Saints in the final game at McLaughlin Park on Monday.
The split round saw teams journey to two different venues, with three games in Millicent and two played across the border at Island Park.
In an inter-state upset, home team Casterton Sandford claimed a 19-point win over East Gambier, while the first game at Island Park saw a comfortable win to Mundulla over Penola.
The opening game at McLaughlin Park was also won easily, as Kalangadoo stormed home for a 107-point triumph over North Gambier.
Another dominant display saw Glencoe with a 59-point margin over West Gambier/Port MacDonnell.
MUNDULLA 6.7 (43) d PENOLA 0.7 (7)
PENOLA was unable to match its fellow Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara opponent on Monday, with an eventual 36-point loss to Mundulla opening proceedings at Island Park.
An inaccurate game was the Eagles’ downfall in the end, with a four-point first term setting the scene.
Mundulla scored 1.1 in the opening quarter and held Penola scoreless in the second to carry a 23-point lead into the long break.
The Eagles failed to score again in the third term and headed into the final stanza with a deficit of 38 points.
A change in pace saw Penola with another three minor scores in the fourth term, while Mundulla managed just one behind, but the damage had already been done.
Jayde Barton was a force on the field for the victors, with her four goals and impressive game earning her the best-on-ground honours.
Brooke Ballinger and Tegan Roberts were also in form, while Tessa Marra and Stacey Malcolm rounded out the best players.
For the Eagles it was Karmel Finch who served her team well once again to be named as best, while the likes of Alexandria Ey, Meagan Petzke and Shandeen Balshaw also contributed.
KALANGADOO 17.5 (107) d NORTH GAMBIER 0.0 (0)
WHEN Kalangadoo and North Gambier opened the day at McLaughlin Park on Monday, it did not take long to predict the outcome.
The Magpies swooped on their opponent early to establish a 25-point lead by the first change and the goals kept coming for the remainder of the game, while the Tigers were held scoreless.
By half time the margin was 50 points, before another four-goal quarter set up a buffer of 76 points heading into the final term.
Kalangadoo saved its best until last and piled on five goals and a behind to finish off the match 107-point victors.
Alyssa Boylan had a field day in front of goals to score seven majors and claim top spot on the league goal-kicking standings with a total of 14.
She was also named second best for her efforts, while Emmason Ilsley bagged two majors and the best-on-ground honours.
Brittany Scholz also performed in front of the big sticks to score three, while Bianca Thorn continued her consistency with two.
Also among the best players were Paris Ackland, Anthea Paterson, Wanita Robinson and Maddison McPherson.
For North, Fiona Young was named as best, while Piper Killick and Lorelle Walker also played well considering the circumstances.
CASTERTON SANDFORD 4.9 (33) d EAST GAMBIER 2.2 (14)
A GAME which was expected to see East Gambier bounce back and claim its second win for the year, in fact resulted in Casterton Sandford winning its second game in its debut season on home soil.
The Cats pounced early with a 10-point opening term, while the Bulldogs were held scoreless for the first half of play, bringing back haunting memories from the previous round’s thrashing at the hands of Kybybolite.
Another 10-point term saw the Cats carry a 20-point advantage into the second half, which was enough to subdue East’s third-quarter resurgence.
The Bulldogs managed two goals and a behind to the Cats’ single minor score, to see 13 points the difference at three-quarter time.
However, with just a minor score in the fourth term, East was unable to close the gap and suffered a 19-point loss.
Neave Delaney was again at the head of the Bulldogs’ attack, scoring both goals for her team, while the Cats’ Kate Tomkins also bagged two, along with the best-on-ground honours.
For East it was Taysha James who best served the side, while Jade Delaney, Olivia Turner and Jemma Heraper also played well despite the loss.
Scarlett Jarrad was the Cats’ second best, with a goal to boot, while Carlie Smith, Tanya Henty-Anderson and Erin Munro were others who impressed.
GLENCOE 7.17 (59) d WEST GAMBIER/PORT MACDONNELL 0.0 (0)
MCLAUGHLIN Park’s second game saw Glencoe with a comfortable win over a struggling West Gambier/Port MacDonnell.
The Roos were held scoreless for the full four quarters, while the Murphies finished proceedings with a 59-point haul.
Had Glencoe been more accurate the damage could have been far greater, with 17 behinds on the day, compared to just seven majors.
However, it was more than enough to claim the win, with Sarah Edwards the best-on-ground for the match.
She was joined by Alice Tentye and Donna Jaeschke in her solid efforts, helping the Murphies to their second win from four games.
KYBYBOLITE 4.5 (29) d MILLICENT 2.6 (18)
THE most anticipated match of the round saw Millicent host reigning premier Kybybolite in the final clash at McLaughlin Park.
A strong start from the Saints saw them with a seven-point lead at the first change, which they were able to hold until the final term.
A slow second quarter saw Millicent scoreless, while Kybybolite managed just a behind to narrow the margin by a point.
Another slow term kicked off the second half, with just three points scored for the quarter.
The Saints looked in good stead to hold their five-point lead, but the reigning premiers saved their best until the final stanza, with three majors and a minor score to steal the lead.
Millicent was only able to add three behinds to its total and hence lost the match by 11 points.
Tanaya Redman backed up her efforts from last round to be named as the Saints’ best again, while Tracey Long and Ella Little were also in form.
The team’s two goals were scored by Redman and Little.
For Kybybolite it was a team effort, with all four goals scored by a different player.
Lucy Kramm was named as best-on-ground, while Sarah Ottoson-Crossling and Hayley Sellars also played well.
