James Murphy
HATHERLEIGH 6.7 (43) d SOUTH GAMBIER 0.1 (1)
A HATHERLEIGH win was expected, but it does not take the sting away for South Gambier as it suffered a 42-point defeat at the hands of the Eagles in Friday night’s Round 7 girls’ football clash.
Despite the home-ground advantage, the Demons were unable to keep up with the pace of their guests, with a behind in the second quarter their only score of the match.
On the other hand the Eagles had amassed three goals and two minor scores by half time to lead by 19 at the long break.
Holding South scoreless from there, they suffered with some inaccuracies in the third term to register four behinds.
However, a big finale in the fourth rewarded Hatherleigh with three goals to set up another percentage-boosting win for the ladder leaders.
Off the back of a four-goal game the week before, Niah Faulkner took things a step further in front of the big sticks.
She finished with five majors and the best-on-ground honours, while the only other goal scorer was Amber Chester, who was named second best for the game.
Kalli Nettle, Kalani Dunn and Eva Crowe also impressed for the Eagles, while for South it was the usual suspects in Ella Guest and Jarrah Altschwager who stood their ground against the onslaught.
The win extends the hold Hatherleigh has on top spot, with a two-win buffer down to North Gambier in second.
The Demons remain in third with two wins for the season.
KYBYBOLITE 2.4 (16) d KONGORONG 1.2 (8)
The bottom-order battle between Kybybolite and Kongorong saw the former record its first win of the 2022 Under 16 girls’ football season.
Played as the later game at Blue Lake Sports Park on Friday night, the northern Tigers found the big sticks on two occasions, which was enough to hold the reigning premiers at bay.
The Hawks managed just one major for the match, off the boot of Kyla Gordon.
Gordon earned a place in the best players, while it was Jasmin McKinnon who received the best-on-ground honours for the Hawks.
Lilly Gordon, Becky Duivenvoorde and Lacey Hannaford also earned a mention for Kongorong.
No details were available for Kybybolite at the time of print.
