UGSFL 2023: Hawks fight hard in first half but no match for in-form Warriors while Eagles power to second win

Wickepin continued their perfect start in the Upper Great Southern Football League on Saturday, prevailing over Narrogin with a 48-point league win in round two. The result was the Warriors’ second win of the season as they chase redemption following last year’s heartbreaking grand final defeat. The match was played at Narrogin and both sides started strongly, but the Warriors outscored the Hawks three goals to two in the first quarter and added three more in the second term to help open a 15-point lead at half-time. Despite a determined effort from the Hawks, the visitors snatched control of the clash in the second half, kicking eight goals to three to claim a comfortable 14.17 (101) to 7.11 (53) triumph. Warriors’ Billy Clay was among the best and led the way with four majors while Jethro Duffy (three goals), Cumoram Desmond (two), Joe Dowling (two) and Ryan Melvin (two) also kicked multiple goals. Flynn Spark and Ryan Duffy were impressive alongside Brayden Fairhead, Kendal Ballard and Carter Wilson for the winners. Casey Kernut booted three goals in a losing side while classy ball winner Jordan Heil, Tom Kilpatrick, Jack Walsh, Ben McMillan and Tom Munns were also named in the best players. Meanwhile, reigning premiers Boddington emerged victorious over Wagin on Saturday, outlasting their gallant opposition by 37 points in a seesawing affair at Boddington. The Eagles soared to a 21-point advantage at the first break but the Bulldogs had all the answers with a strong reply before half time under new player-coach George Hampson. In an encouraging second term, the Bulldogs kicked six majors to cut the margin to three points by the long break. However, that momentum was shortlived, the Eagles outscoring the Bulldogs nine goals to five to close out the game as 17.14 (116) to 12.7 (79) winners. Former Peel Thunder player Zakery Pretty was superb in the win and was well supported by Blake Reynolds, Matthew Almenara, Jordan Hughes and Vaghan Baker. For the Eagles, Lewis Gillespie and Riley Holden were busy in the forward line, snagging three goals apiece. The visitors were best served by Thomas Fleay and Bronson Harry who kicked three majors while Josh Kirk, Joshua Hubbard, Tom Coleman and Taaj Furniss also worked hard. Cooper Young (three) was the other major goal kicker for the visitors. Katanning were comfortable 71-point winners in the other round two fixture while Kukerin-Dumbleyung had the bye.