UGSFL 2024: Wickepin strengthen finals aspirations, Wagin get the job done on the road and Williams hold firm

Wickepin have strengthened their finals aspirations after recording their sixth win of the season, beating Kukerin-Dumbleyung in round nine of the Upper Great Southern Football League competition on Saturday.

The 26-point win at Stubbs Park moved the Warriors two games clear in third spot from a chasing pack of three teams as the competition heads into a general bye for the Country Football Championships.

The Warriors’ defence was impressive, keeping their opponents scoreless in the entire third quarter while they kicked four goals at the other end to open up a 25-point lead at the last change.

The sides kicked a goal each in the final stanza but the Warriors ran out winners, 8.12 (60) to 5.4 (34).

The Warriors had two multiple goal kickers — Billy Clay and Jethro Duffy — while teammates Sam Fortini, Fraser Wittwer, Flynn Spark, Jordan Flavel and Ryan Duffy were vital in the result.

For the home side Peter Joyce and Coen Marwick booted two goals each, and their side had strong contributions from Sheldon Taylor, Justin Joyce, Blake White, Jonty Robinson, and Charlie Keast.

Despite the loss, the Cougars sit inside the top four on percentage.

A five-goal to nil third term proved the difference between Wagin and Katanning Wanderers at Quartermaine Oval on Saturday.

The Bulldogs finished 62-point winners in the end on the road as they joined the Cougars and Narrogin on 16 premiership points.

Despite missing Jake Putland, forward Ben Wardle and young guns Logan Finlayson and Isaac Whiteford, the Bulldogs started strongly with four unanswered goals and pushed the margin to 32 points by half-time.

The Bulldogs went on to claim their fourth win of the season by the final siren, 13.15 (93) to 4.7 (31) as Jack Holt led the way with four goals.

He was well supported by Bronson Harry, Josh Kirk and John Lee with two majors each.

George Gibson, Nick Menegola, and Michael Seeds were among the best players for their work in the middle and back line.

The Tigers kicked three of their four goals in the final term but were best served by Reece Nicholson, James Laurino, Abdul Pickett, Reece Eades, and Brock and Slade Green.

In a tight tussle, Williams edged out Brookton-Pingelly by 19 points in Williams on Saturday.

The two sides went goal for goal early on and the scores were level at half-time.

The Cats got out their claws and kicked double the Panthers’ goals during the second half as Gerard Medlen, Nathan Pearce, and Cam Stedman all finished with two majors.

The Panthers had six individual goal kickers but fell short in the end, 7.11 (53) to 10.12 (72).

The Cats’ best players were Brady Hill, Stedman, Samuel West, Ollie Kable, Addison Dew and Alex Donaldson, with their side remaining one game clear in second spot.

The Hawks missed a chance to jump into the top four, thumped by ladder-leaders Boddington in Boddington on Saturday.

The Eagles kicked eight goals to one in a rampant opening half on their way to a 104-point triumph.

The competition’s leading goal kicker Lloyd Padwick had another day out, tearing through the Hawks’ defence with six goals to his name, while teammate Jimi Gillespie was close behind with four.

Zak Pretty, Harry Cabalzar, Matt Giumelli, Gillespie, Jordan Hughes and Blake Reynolds stood out for the home side in the 20.16 (136) to 4.8 (32) victory.

Noah Criddle-White was the Hawks’ only multiple goal kicker in the heavy loss.