UGSFL 2024: Williams hold off Wagin to secure top-two spot, Wickepin claim thrilling win over Narrogin

Williams locked away a top-two finish and a finals double chance after a hard-fought 27-point win over a determined Wagin side in round 12 of the Upper Great Southern Football League on Sunday. Played in Williams, the match was a low-scoring affair but it was the Cats that made a strong start kicking 2.6 and holding the Bulldogs goalless in the first quarter. There was plenty of feeling in the contest, with costly turnovers resulting in goals and strong tackling making for a fierce battle between the two sides. The margin grew to 26 points by half-time as the home side kicked three goals to one and another four majors in the third sealed their 10th win of the season. The Bulldogs fought back strongly in the final term, holding the Cats goalless but it was not enough to reel them in. Nathan Pearce kicked three majors, with teammate Michael Cowcher close behind with two, as the Cats won 9.12 (66) to 5.9 (39) and moved three games clear in second spot. The Cats were best served by Kyle Shanahan, Samuel West, Ollie Kable, Brady Hill, Perrin Gillett and Jonty Petchell. Aaron Farmer, Alfred Finlayson, John Lee, Alex Mancini, Jaemseson Davidson (one goal) and George Gibson (one) were among the Bulldogs best players. Wickepin all but secured a finals berth, as they downed Narrogin by nine points in a thriller on Saturday in Narrogin. The Hawks kicked nine goals to six in the second half as they launched a comeback but the Warriors held firm to stay one game clear of their rivals in third spot. In just his second game of the season, former Essendon and South Fremantle forward Cory Dell’Olio was superb for the winners with three goals as they clung on, 11.11 (77) to 11.2 (68). The Warriors led by 24 points at half-time which proved decisive as Flynn Spark, Joshua Houwen, Sam Fortini, Dell’Olio, Kyle Medcalf and Jordan Flavel all played significant roles. Despite their loss, the Hawks’ resurgence was driven by Jesse Messere, Noah Criddle-White, Jydan Lanciano, Langford Williams (three goals), Damon Penny and Nicholas Miller. Katanning Wanderers and Brookton-Pingelly played out an attacking first quarter, kicking 10 goals but the Panthers took control from that point on to win by 57 points in the end at Pingelly on Sunday. The Tigers kicked four goals in the first and the Panthers had six on the board but the home side booted five unanswered goals in the second term to break the game open. Joshua Lee scored five goals for the Panthers while teammates Ezekiel Bolton (four goals), Trent Arnold (two), and Ryley Conlan (two) were also important in the 18.8 (116) to 9.5 (59) win. Strong performances from James Laurino, Brock Green, Jake Blight, Reece Eades, and Lachlan Saunders weren’t enough to break the Tigers losing streak while Ryan Pontillo ended the game with five majors. In the other Sunday fixture, Boddington proved why they’ve only lost one game this season with a dominant display over Kukerin-Dumbleyung in Boddington. The game was effectively over at half-time, the Eagles kicking 10 goals to one by the long break. Harry Ellis was the star with six goals up forward while Matthew Sherry, Ben Sherry, Harry Cabalzar, Kiattisak Deechaiyaphum and Jimi Gillespie powered the Eagles to the 21.10 (136) to 5.8 (38) result.