PFNL 2018: Centrals hold off spirited Halls Head to post third win on the season

An up and down contest provided plenty of lead changes between the two sides, but it was Centrals finishing off strongest in the fourth quarter to claim a 13.12 (90) to 11.10 (76) victory.

The lead changed hands at the end of every quarter, but it was Halls Head that had the ball rolling early.

Accurate kicking helped buoy the Lightning to a five-goal first quarter, giving them a 10-point lead at the end of the opening stanza.

But the home side refused to let Halls Head dictate the terms, firing back with a six-goal blitz in the second quarter as they dashed to their own 10-point lead at half time.

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The rollercoaster ride continued in the second half, with the Lightning retaking a slim two-point lead heading into the fourth, but they were unable to hit the scoreboard in the final term.

Centrals kept their guests goalless in the fourth quarter while Zaine Atwell, Chris Lee and Bruno Faulkner all booted majors to help the home side finish with a win.

Both Luke Humphries and player/coach Adam Boone were effective in front of the big sticks for Halls Head with four goals apiece, while ex-East Fremantle player Thomas Bennett nailed three to lead the way for the Blues.

Bennett also featured in Centrals’ best, alongside Brett Hill and Toby Gianatti, while Robert Falkstrom and Cory Fish were productive for the Lightning.

The victory is Centrals’ third on the year, and evens their record at 3-3.

They also jump into the top five on the back of the win, thanks to the Pinjarra Tigers coming back from the brink to take down South Mandurah on Sunday.

Halls Head remain steady in fourth on the ladder despite taking the loss, and will look to bounce back when they square off against a hot-to-trot Rockingham Rams outfit.