Kukerin-Dumbleyung, Wickepin and Brookton-Pingelly among the winners in opening round of UGSFL season

Kukerin-Dumbleyung clung on desperately to win by one point despite a five-goal final term from Boddington in the opening round of the Upper Great Southern Football League season on Sunday. The Cougars managed 1.2 in the final term which was enough to stumble across the line as they held off the fast-finishing Eagles at Nenke Oval in Kukerin. The first term looked promising for both sides as they battled for ascendancy and the Eagles held a slender one-point lead at the first change. The Cougars piled on the pressure in the second and third quarters, putting seven goals through the big sticks as the Eagles managed just two across two quarters. The Eagles produced an inspired fourth quarter however, stunning the Cougars and booting five goals to bring them within a goal of the lead. The home side held on in a thrilling finish to notch their first win of the year, 12.17 (89) to 13.10 (88). The Cougars were best served by Peter Joyce, Darcy Boyle, Justin Joyce, Marshall Browne, Byron Blevin and Damon Joyce. Eric Botha bagged four goals and Boyle slotted home three goals for the winners. Harrison Ellis and Matthew White were both impressive in the Eagles’ forward line, booting six and four goals, respectively. Mitchell Salmeri, Matthew White, Harrison Ellis, Talan Michael, Riley Holden and Blake Reynolds were among the better players in a losing affair. In the other league fixtures, Wickepin were victorious over Williams in a 45-point trouncing at Wickepin on Sunday. Flynn Spark, Atem Deng, Callum Garcia, Cumoram Desmond, Luke Crouch and Jeffrey Farrell were all among the Warriors’ best in the 15.14 (104) to 7.17 (59) win. The Cats were best served by Addison Dew (two goals), Cam Stedman and Nick Panizza. Brookton-Pingelly thumped Wagin by 108 points in the other round one match at Matera Oval. The Bulldogs failed to register a single goal in the first half as the Panthers dominated early proceedings with eight first-half majors. The goal-fest continued as the Panthers stormed home with 13 more majors to win easily, 21.14 (140) to 5.2 (32). Lloyd Padwick kicked eight goals in the one-sided affair and Ira Jetta chipped in with four majors.