PFNL 2018: Halls Head take important win over Falcons in ‘old fashioned slog’

In a game Lightning coach Adam Boone could only describe as an “old fashioned slog”, Halls Head managed to conjure a three-goal fourth quarter to break open what was a tie game at three quarter time and escape with an 8.9 (57) to 5.16 (46) win.

No doubt South Mandurah will rue their wayward kicking in testing conditions, as Halls Head managed to make the most of their opportunities and stay close to a Falcons side that tallied several more scoring shots.

A stagnant first term saw each side register a goal apiece, with Luke Humphries bagging his first of three on the day to get the ball rolling for the home side.

The Falcons could have broken away from the Lightning if it wasn’t for a spate of behinds in the second term.

They registered just one goal to their eight behinds for the quarter, seeing them to a seven point lead at the half time break.

With the rain bucketing down Halls Head took the advantage in the third term, winning a bunch of contested footy to keep South Mandurah goalless while they piled on one of their own to even scores up heading into the fourth.

From there it was the Lightning taking their chances as they broke away for a hard-fought 11-point victory.

Boone said it was an important win for his side, leveling their record at an even 4-4.

“Us, South Mandurah and Centrals seem to be floating around the same space fighting for two spots in the top five, so any time we can get a win over one of them is really good for us.

“We dropped one to Centrals a few weeks ago that we were pretty dirty on ourselves about, so to grind out a four quarter effort and come away with a win is really pleasing.”

Halls Head will look to keep the ball rolling next week when they take on the top-three Pinjarra Tigers, while South Mandurah will look to cause a boil-over when they host an unbeaten Baldivis.