Football: Tigers continue winning streak

A determined South Bunbury notched their fourth consecutive victory after outlasting Carey Park 11.10 (76) to 10.4 (64) at Hands Oval on Sunday.

The Panthers started the last quarter two points ahead but a three-goals-to-one final term propelled the home side to a 12-point triumph.

The Tigers won only three games in 2012 and have already bettered that result after five rounds of the season.

After being strongly held by Corey Stidworthy for the first three quarters, Guy Piggott kicked the first goal of the final term to give South Bunbury the lead.

A classy snap from Tigers youngster Leith Dower extended the advantage before Nat Fielding wasted a gettable opportunity to put the result beyond doubt.

Carey Park were given a glimmer of hope when Braden Lawler goaled after a 50m penalty to slash the margin to less than one straight kick.

But Fielding made up for his mistake when he ran into an open goal to seal the result, which put South Bunbury one win clear inside the top three.

Earlier, Souths jumped out of the blocks and kicked the first three goals of the match Tigers captain Matt Giacci was influential early on as well as young wingman Braden Piggott who worked hard in the open spaces of Hands Oval.

South Bunbury entered halftime with a 13-point advantage but the Panthers made major structural changes at the long break.

Regular forward Marc Bevis moved into the ruck, full forward Matt Martin shifted to centre halfforward and Cody Garlett relocated to the goal square.

The changes paid immediate dividends as the Panthers went on a five-goals-to-two rampage in the third term.

Carey Park midfielders Arron Hill, Lawler and Callum Leslie lifted their work rate while goals to Tim Yarran, Garlett and three to Martin gave the visitors a twopoint lead at three quarter-time.

But they could not continue their momentum into the final term as the Tigers finished with a flurry.

Sunday’s loss was Carey Park’s second in a row.

Scoreboard

South Bunbury 5.2 6.4 8.7 11.10 76 def Carey Park 2.1 4.3 9.3 10.4 64

Goals:

SOUTH BUNBURY – N. Fielding 3. G. Piggott, D. Harper 2, L. Dower, B. Piggott, C. McCamish, C. Ellen.

CAREY PARK – M. Martin 4, C. Garlett 3, T. Yarran, A. Hill, B. Lawler.

Best:

SOUTH BUNBURY – M. Giacci, B. Piggott, D. Bull, D. Harper, C. Ellen, C. Rota.

CAREY PARK – T. Yarran, A. Rake, M. Martin, B. Lawler, C. Garlett, A. Hill.