SFL match reports

SFL reports - round nine
By Gary Williamson

New Norfolk v Sorell
NEW Norfolk continue to record easy wins with another big score as they thrashed a lacklustre Sorell by a massive 189 points at Boyer on Saturday, kicking 355.19 (229) to 6.5 (41). The first term saw the visitors surprisingly competitive and only two late goals from the Eagles saw them grab a 12 point lead. Sorell looked well into the contest. The second term saw New Norfolk really increase the pressure and they took over the centre clearances and stoppages. Sorell had no answer for New Norfolk’s power as they kicked 11 unanswered goals and raced away to a match winning lead of 86 points at the main break, Sorell giving in too easily after a good first term.

The second half was a training drill for the powerful Eagles who are still very hungry and know how to really demolish a side. They recorded another 19 goals in the second half to power away to a percentage boosting victory. New Norfolk will be striving for  a real contest in the coming weeks as these easy wins are no good  for when they play a top side. Best players for the winners were plenty with Bonnitcha, Clifford with five goals, Crane and Rapera, with big forward Thompson kicking double figures two weeks in a row with a lazy eleven goals as his red hot form continues. Sorell were best served by Wiltshire, Parker, Mather and Williamson as they still remain with only one win and always struggle badly on the road.

Cygnet v Central Hawks
CYGNET recorded its second win in a row and are really striving to make the top six having thrashed a listless Central Hawks by 89 points, 23.11 (149) to 6.5 (41). The first term saw the visitors really competitive for most of the quarter but they made skill errors and the Port made them pay on the turnovers, kicking late goals to move to a very handy 25-point lead at the first change. The second term saw Cygnet really start to run the ball through the corridor and the Hawks could not match their run and carry as they piled on eight goals and went to a match winning lead of 57 points and looked in for a very big win against the bottom side.

The second half still saw the Port dominate the game but they slowed up badly and allowed the visitors to kick valuable goals as coach Tyrell would not have been pleased with their finish as they need to really bury these sides when in total control at half time. Best players for the Hawks were hard to find with McWilliams, Brown and Nibbs the standouts.

East Coast v Brighton
BRIGHTON remain in the top six and had a real battle on their hands but eventually prevailed away from home over a gallant East Coast, 13.10 (88) to 11.12 (78). The Robins really flew out of the blocks as they controlled all the play in the first term and piled on seven goals and looked to have the game sewn up at quarter time with a lead of 35 points. After a real blast from coach Wiggins at quarter time the Bombers responded as good sides should and the game really changed as they were able to kick six goals to one and only trailed by six points at the main break and the game was up for grabs. The game really closed up in the third term as Brighton started to lift and kicked a few crucial goals and grabbed a handy 12-point lead at the last change and held on for a gutsy win over an unlucky East Coast who wasted opportunities and probably just lacked some experienced in the tight contest. Brighton had a really even team effort which is needed to win these danger games away from home.

Lindisfarne v Kingborough
LINDISFARNE kept its unbeaten run intact and remains a game clear on top of the ladder and the team to beat for this year’s flag after they absorbed pressure all day and still came out on top over a gallant Kingborough by 28 points, 14.10 (94) to 9.12 (66).

Huonville  v Dodges Ferry
DODGES Ferry survived a real scare away from home against a fired up Huonville but came from behind to finally take the points by 10 points, 12.10 (82) to 11.6 (72).