Tigers primed in top spot

One dominant quarter was all South Bunbury needed to see off a determined Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault at Brunswick Oval on Saturday night.

The league-leaders showed their premiership credentials in the premiership quarter, kicking six unanswered goals in the third term to win 14.9 (93) to 10.7 (67).

A win this Saturday will now wrap up the minor premiership for the Tigers, but it was far from a formality at half-time when they trailed by two goals.

The sides went goal-for-goal in an even-paced and competitive opening quarter, with South Bunbury taking an eight-point advantage into the first break.

Travis Gray kicked a long range goal to start the second quarter and extend South Bunbury’s lead, but it would be their last major for the half as the hosts asserted control in club stalwart John Klumpp’s 150th game.

Ash Thornton kicked one of his three goals to begin the revival before an errant kick-in gifted HBL another major.

Much of the second quarter was tight and contested as both teams fought hard for possession, which led to HBL having long periods with the ball in their forward line.

An excellent David Newman goal from deep in the pocket put the home side in front before Bryce Thornton snapped an opportunistic goal to increase the lead.

South Bunbury were lucky not to be further behind as a kick-in infringement was compounded by an attempted clearance going out on the full, although HBL’s resulting shot after the siren produced no score.

Adam Hunter asserted himself on the match after half time by kicking an early goal before Brett Robinson added another.

Hunter continued his dominance en route to four goals for the match, while Kale Francis and Leigh Kohlmann also added crucial third quarter goals as South Bunbury’s class came to the fore and they built a 26 point lead at the final break.

The sides traded goals in the last quarter as South Bunbury repelled everything HBL could throw at them.

Travis Obal and Robinson kicked excellent goals for their respective sides while Francis kicked his second, and the last goal of the match, from the pocket to secure a deserved but hard-fought win.

Scoreboard

South Bunbury 3.3 4.4 10.7 14.9 93 def HBL 2.1 6.4 6.5 10.7 67

Goals:

SOUTH BUNBURY - A. Hunter 4, T. Gray, B. Robinson, K. Francis, L. Kohlmann 2, F. Millar, D. Bull.

HBL - A. Thornton, D. Newman 3, B. Thornton, Z. Piper, T. Obal, B. Strano.

Best:

SOUTH BUNBURY - T. Gray, L. Dower, A. Hunter, C. Rota, S. Crane, B. Robinson.

HBL - J. Quinn, B. Strano, Z. Piper, M. Joyce, T. Quaife, D. Newman

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