By Lachlan Onions
HATHERLEIGH 6.4 (40) d SOUTH GAMBIER 3.2 (20)
HATHERLEIGH continued its strong start to the season with an impressive win over South Gambier in Round 2 of Limestone Coast Under 16 Girls football on Friday night.
After winning their two games in the double-header in Round 1, the Eagles fired out of the blocks to take a 14-0 lead at the first break.
The dominance continued into the second term and the Demons were unable to find a way through the strong Hatherleigh backline.
Th Eagles kicked two goals straight in the second quarter to take a 26-point lead at half time.
After a dominant first half from Hatherleigh, South Gambier looked like it had no way back.
However, a resurgence from the Demons changed the shape of the game.
South Gambier kicked three goals in the third term and held the ladder-leaders scoreless to trail by just eight points which set up a thrilling final quarter thanks to a spirited fightback.
However, the Eagles soon snapped back into action and kicked two goals in the last quarter and restricted the Demons to just two points in the final term to round out 20-point victors.
Amber Chester led the goalkickers for the game with two, while Hannah Bellinger and Edie Easterby continued their strong form from Round 1 with the former named best on ground.
Sophie Wight kicked a goal for the Demons and was named best on ground for her side.
KONGORONG 5.2 (32) d KYBYBOLITE 2.2 (14)
After a disappointing first round where the Hawks were unable to win in the double-header on their home deck, the reigning premiers bounced back to claim a relatively comfortable win in the second game of the round.
Kybybolite looked to put its home ground advantage to full use as it set out to claim revenge in a clash which was a replay of last season’s semi-final, where Kongorong defeated the Tigers at the same venue.
Much like the semi-final where these two sides met last, it was an even battle in the first quarter.
However, this time both teams managed to kick major scores in the opening term.
At the first break, the Hawks held a six-point lead with the score 3.0 (18) to 2.0 (12).
After an arm-wrestle of a first quarter, the Hawks spread the wings in the second stanza to give them some breathing space and took a 13-point lead at the long break.
Kongorong was held scoreless in the third quarter but Kybybolite was unable to put a dent into the margin as it only managed a solitary behind for the quarter to trail by two major scores at the final change.
The Hawks added their fifth goal of the game in the fourth quarter to ensure victory and claim an important four points.
Kongorong vice-captain Jasmin McKinnon impressed and was adjudged best on ground for the game, while Hawks captain Evie Sealey kicked three majors in the contest.
The Tigers’ two goals came from Elise Hahn, while Chloe Stewart was best on ground for the hosts.
After two rounds of action, Hatherleigh remains in top spot on the ladder, ahead of North Gambier, Kongorong, South Gambier and Kybybolite.
The Eagles’ Niah Faulkner leads the goalkickers with eight majors this season.
She is closely followed by North Gambier’s Claire Mitchell, who has kicked six goals in two games thus far.
