Bombers made the Eagles earn their win

SFL match reports
By Gary Williamson

East Coast Bombers v New Norfolk
DESPITE being made to work hard for most of the day, New Norfolk eventually ran out winners over a gallant East Coast Bombers in the match played at the Lauderdale Oval on Saturday. The 75-point victory sees New Norfolk with a stranglehold on top position on the ladder.

The East Coast Bombers took it up to New Norfolk in the first term and only mistakes around the ball cost them towards the end of the quarter as the Eagles edged to a seven-point lead and really knew they had a tight game on their hands. New Norfolk really started to take assert its authority at the centre clearances and slammed on eight goals in the second term to take a 38 point lead at the main break. The East Coast Bombers were gallant but lacked height and strength in the contest.

The second half saw New Norfolk slowly edge away to a commanding victory but the Bombers still showed how much they have improved this season. With a few more avenues up forward they could be a dangerous side in the finals and go deep in September.

Best players for New Norfolk were Crane, Herron, Booth, and Horne while key forward Hall continued his recent good form with a bag of five goals. Best players for the Bombers were Crew, Walsh, Arnold and DeWinter while Novy was dangerous up forward with three goals.

New Norfolk 4.3,  12.4,  19.9,  22.13  (145)
East Coast 3.2,  6.2,  8.4,  11.4  (70)
Goals - New Norfolk:  J. Hall 5, N. Ross 3, B. Chaplin 3, B. Booth 3, C. Wilson 2, R. Belcher 2,  M. Thompson, J. County, J. Horne, Z. Gardam; East Coast:  C. Novy 3, T. Giffard 2, M. Walker 2, G. Frankcombe 2, D. Arnol, M. Dance.
Best - New Norfolk: S. Crane, R. Heron, B. Booth, M. Horne, N. Ross, J. Hall; East Coast: D. Crew, M. Walsh, D. Arnol, J. De Winter, M. Walker, T. Giffard.

RESERVES
New Norfolk 1.4,  5.6,  10.9,  13.13  (91)
East Coast 1.1,  2.1,  4.3,  9.4  (58)
Goals - New Norfolk: K. Cashion 4, B. Chaplin 2, N. Lester 2, N. Clayton 2, J. Adams, B. Chaplin,
T. Triffett; East Coast: J. Wright 5, J. Baker 2, G. Mills, A. Mcintosh.
Best - New Norfolk: T. Rainbird, K. Cashion, B. Kaye, T. Triffett, A. Minchin, N. Lester; East Coast: G. Mills, M. Fitze, B. Marsland, M. Reid, L. Taylor, J. Padman.

COLTS
New Norfolk defeated East Coast by forfeit.

OTHER GAMES
Brighton 23.16 (154) defeated Hobart 7.8 (56)
BRIGHTON continued its recent good form when it hosted Hobart at home and showed the Tigers no mercy. The Robins thrashed their rivals by 104 points to clearly show they are the best side outside the top five.

Claremont 19.20 (134) defeated Lindisfarne 7.7 (79)
CLAREMONT dominated a disappointing Lindisfarne on its home ground, winning by 85 points in a very powerful display. The Magpies had a point to prove to the third placed Lindisfarne, who they will meet in the qualifying final in a few weeks time.

Dodges Ferry 13.9 (87) defeated Cygnet 3.8 (26)
DODGES Ferry recorded its 10th win of the season with a solid performance away from home, eventually defeating an undermanned Cygnet by 61 points.

Sorell 18.21 (129) defeated Huonville 6.10 (46)
SORELL recorded its best victory of the season away from home, thrashing an extremely disappointing Huonville Lions by 83 points.