Football: Boomers score ninth scalp

For the first time in the club’s history, the Eaton Boomers have gonethrough the first half of the season undefeated, recording a 26-point win over South Bunbury.

But it took the Boomers three quarters to shake off a tenacious Tigers outfit and claim the 9.12 (66) to 6.4 (40) triumph at a wet and windy at Hands Oval on Sunday.

Rain and a strong breeze turned the game into a slog with players being stripped of the ball easily while their disposals went astray.

A goal to Chris Atthowe after the three quarter-time siren put the Boomers in front by a point at the final change.

And as the rain pelted down early in the final term, the visitors finished full of running with four unanswered goals.

Speedy Karl Collard burst into the game with a couple of early goals and when Rohan Lily added his second at the 10-minute mark the game was all but over.

Eaton ruckman Brendan Page provided a highlight with an opportunistic snap just before fulltime to ice the triumph.

The Tigers were full of endeavour but the Boomers’ depth and experience was telling.

Goals were at a premium all afternoon with the Tigers getting their first through a clever soccer from Craig Ellen before Braden Piggott snapped truly on his left.

The Boomers had the breeze in the second term but the Tigers defence and midfield were up to the task.

Jay Tindall, Matt Wilkinson, Ryan Smith and Matt Giacci did well to deny the Boomers a major until Atthowe kicked truly midway through the quarter.

Goals to Tyson Lee and Guy Piggott put Souths in front early in the third term.

But they couldn’t hold on to the advantage and ran out of legs in the last quarter.

Scoreboard

E Boomers 2.2 3.7 5.10 9.12 66 def Sth Bunbury 2.3 3.3 6.3 6.4 40

Goals:

EATON BOOMERS — J. Ferrier, C. Atthowe, K. Collard 2, R. Lily, B. Page.

SOUTH BUNBURY — G. Piggott 2, B. Piggott, C. Ellen, L. Kohlmann, T. Lee.

Best:

EATON BOOMERS — C. Atthowe, K. Butcher, G. Cavallaro, M. Battaglia, Jye Cormack, J. Bowe.

SOUTH BUNBURY — C. Ellen, M. Giacci, J. Tindall, M. Wilkinson, T. Lee, B. Seroka.