OFA 2024: Boxwood Hill book preliminary final spot, ending Newdegate’s season in hard-fought elimination final

Boxwood Hill have kept their season alive and knocked out defending premiers Newdegate by winning a hard-fought elimination final in the Ongerup Football Association in Lake Grace on Sunday. It was do-or-die for both sides but Boxwood were the better team, holding the 2023 premiers to just two goals in wet and windy conditions while kicking six themselves to register a 6.5 (41) to 2.3 (15) result. In a tight tussle in which goals were hard to come by, the Bombers booted three majors in the opener while keeping the Lions scoreless to open up a 17-point advantage to the first break. The Bombers were then held goalless for the next two quarters as the Lions kicked their first in the third quarter, cutting the margin back to two straight kicks at the final change. However, with their season on the line, the Bombers rekindled their offensive groove, booting three goals in the last to take a 26-point win and advance through to the preliminary final. George Stoney was terrific for the Bombers booting two crucial goals, and was well supported by Nic Bertola, Brett Plane and Bradley Joyce. Durak Tucker, Jorrum Tucker, Dylan Brooks and Darcy Thompson played crucial roles for the Lions, and Dustin Boyce and Christopher Wollaston were their only goal kickers, but their bid for back-to-back flags ended abruptly. Boxwood will travel to face Gnowangerup on Saturday after the Bulldogs were beaten in the qualifying final by Lake Grace-Pingrup in Boxwood Hill. Lake Grace-Pingrup emerged 13-point winners in the reserves elimination final to progress to next week’s preliminary final against Boxwood Hill. In a low-scoring affair, the Bombers prevailed 2.9 (21) to 1.2 (8) on their home turf. Jerramungup booked a spot in next week’s juniors preliminary final with Gnowangerup after notching a commanding 74-point victory over Newdegate. Zac Langdon and Kade Lester each booted three goals as the Eagles went on to win 11.14 (80) to 1.0 (6).