James Murphy
SOUTH GAMBIER 11.11 (77) d NORTH GAMBIER 9.8 (62)
NORTH Gambier suffered its third consecutive loss to a top-four team on Saturday, succumbing to South Gambier by 15 points.
The Tigers hosted the clash and started strongly, notching up 21 points to South’s two in the first quarter.
However, the Demons surged after the break and held their rival goalless while piling on five majors of their own.
That flipped the scoreline and South carried a 12-point lead into half time.
Mitchell Sims was making himself known already and his silky skills and game-high four goals earned him South’s best-on-ground honours at the conclusion of the match.
The dismal conditions continued to impact the game in the second half and the scoring end remained, with the Tigers taking full advantage.
Their six-goal-one quarter was the largest return of the day and was enough for the lead to change hands again.
South kicked one major against the flow of traffic, along with two behinds, but trailed by 17 points heading into the final stanza.
Fortunately for the Demons the conditions played to their favour in the last and it was enough to push them back in front before the final siren.
Their 15-point win keeps them in second place, with a one-win buffer to West Gambier in third.
North sits relatively safe in fourth position, with Casterton Sandford still two wins below with only four rounds remaining.
Sims was joined by Rex Jones at the pointy end of South’s best players, while Jed Sims and Taylor Saffin were also top performers.
Harry Fisher was the only other Demon to kick multiple goals, with two to his name, while both Mitchell Harrold and Elliott Fisher were others who earned a mention.
For North it was young-gun Aaron Dally who impressed most, topping the best players in another trademark performance from the rising talent.
Brock Egan also featured highly in the best, while joining Dale Bachmann and Justin McConnell kicking two goals each.
Cameron Ortlepp continued his strong midfield presence, while Brett Shepherdson, Bachmann and Toby de Wit rounded out the best.
South will look for another strong result against West next round, while North visits Casterton Sandford in an important clash.
