A four-goal haul from Luke Humphries and a stunning Robert Falkstrom performance led Halls Head to a thrilling three-point victory over South Mandurah in round one of the Peel Football and Netball League season on Saturday evening.
Halls Head were forced to fend off a rampaging Falcons outfit in the fourth quarter, who stormed home with a late four-goal surge but fell just short as the Lightning zapped to a 9.5 (59) to 8.8 (56) win at Hot Klobba Stadium.
Humphries starred up front for the home side, booting three of his four goals in the first half as Halls Head set themselves up with just enough breathing space.
But while the opportunistic efforts of their front six were admirable, it was the crisp ball movement from defence that gave the Lightning the edge needed to secure a victory.
South Mandurah peppered the Halls Head backline with a flurry of shots in the opening minutes, but the hosts weathered the storm before returning fire.
Falkstrom’s play through the middle of the ground was outstanding in the early goings, while Jake Lally and Cory Fish helped propel the side to a two-goal lead at quarter time.
But that advantage was thrown into question when Brad Holmes was able to convert South Mandurah’s first goal midway through the second term, coming off the back of some tenacious pressure from young gun Mitch Coles.
The superstar full forward booted three of his total five goals in the second quarter, bringing the Falcons within five points at the long break.
It looked to be game on in the early stages of the second half, but Halls Head’s outstanding defence returned as they kept South Mandurah goalless for the second time in three quarters while booting two of their own to secure an 18-point lead at the final break.
The game looked to be done and dusted when Humphries and Michael Beeton slotted the first two goals of the quarter for the Lightning, but South Mandurah stormed home with a flurry of goals bringing them to within four points of a win.
The Falcons had a last-minute shot with less than 20 seconds remaining on the clock, but pushed it wide as Halls Head escaped with the four points.
New player/coach Adam Boone was rapt with his side’s performance.
“We got a bit nonchalant and let things slip away in the end, but for three-and-a-half quarters I felt we were well in control of the game,” he said.
“Credit to South Mandurah, they fielded a really young side and came clawing back.
“Obviously if we had taken a loss we’d be really disappointed, but we had eight guys in the side that could still be playing colts and to hang on is a great result for them.
“Now we just need to keep that form rolling.”
Halls Head’s focus now turns to Pinjarra, who will they will square off against in round two.
South Mandurah will be out to bounce back when they host Centrals.
Best
Halls Head
R. Falkstrom, M. Beeton, L. Humphries, H. Thompson, R. Storer, J. Lally
South Mandurah
T. Wood, B. Holmes, B. Hobson, C. Swarts, J. Sutton
Goals
Halls Head
L. Humphries 4, S. Walters 2, D. Lunt 2, M. Beeton
South Mandurah
B. Holmes 5, N. Hutchison, R. Cherry, S. Snowdon
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
