James Murphy
A GRADE – KYBYBOLITE 18.1 (109) d PENOLA 4.6 (30)
THE ladder leaders were too tough for Penola’s A Grade footballers on Saturday with Kybybolite claiming a convincing victory over the Eagles.
The final margin was a crushing 79 points, with Kyby putting on a sharpshooter display in front of goals.
The Tigers scored 18 goals on the day with just one behind, amassing a total of 109 points.
A five-goal first quarter went a long was to setting up that total, with Penola mustering a pair of goals and behinds to be down by 16 at the break.
The trend continued for the top side in the second term, with another five-goal return while this time keeping the Eagles to just two minor scores.
As such the half-time margin had grown to 45 points.
Hoping to make up some ground in the “premiership” quarter, Penola battled hard, but again met tough defensive pressure across the ground.
A solitary behind was all it could muster, while Kybybolite added three more goals.
The Eagles upped the output in the last with two goals and a behind, but with another five-goal return from the guests it did little to stem the flow.
At the final siren it was a 79-point game and enough to relegate Penola to ninth place on the ladder.
A five-goal haul from Kyby’s Billy Laurie was a highlight for the victors, while Jared Deep was best on ground for the Tigers.
Penola looked to Harrison Evans on the day, with Garret Ha leading the scoring with two goals.
A road trip to Bordertown this weekend will present another challenge, with the Roosters sitting comfortable in fourth position.
RESERVES – KYBYBOLITE 8.9 (57) d PENOLA 5.8 (38)
It was also a tough day at the office for Penola’s Reserves, who went down to Kybybolite in a tough contest.
Little separated he sides in the first half, with scores locked at eight-all at quarter time, before Kyby edged out to an eight-goal lead in the second term.
An inaccurate third quarter had Penola post just four behinds, while another goal from the visitors had the margin out to 12.
Still in the balance, the match was won in the final quarter, where Kyby scored three-goals-three to Penola’s 2.2 and broke away to a 19-point victory.
The Eagles were best served by Thomas Currie on the day, while Alex Merret and Aden Brand were also solid.
Goals were shared around with Kybybolite’s Thomas Taheny the only player from either team to score two goals.
Penola will hope to bounce back this weekend but will face a daunting task against a ladder leading Bordertown.
