The Waroona Demons moved back to the top of the Peel Football and Netball League’s ladder with a gutsy victory over the former league-leading Pinjarra Tigers last Friday night.
The two heavyweight sides went head-to-head in a top-two clash at the Waroona Recreation Centre, with the Demons taking a narrow 68-65 win in their grand final re-match.
The home side got a very slight jump on the Tigers in the first quarter, holding a three-point lead as each side went into their huddle after the first quarter.
They led by as much as nine at half time before Pinjarra pegged things back to just four points heading into the final quarter.
The visitors took it up to their hosts but it wasn’t to be, as Waroona dealt Pinjarra their first loss of the season and dethroned them from the top of the ladder.
It was a battle of the league’s top scorers as Waroona’s Donnelle Wallam piled up another 60 while Tiger Hannah Storer went for 54 of her side’s total 65.
Meanwhile, Rockingham moved to within a game of the top two sides thanks to a 68-39 win over Mandurah.
The Rams got the jump early on Mandurah and led by 12 goals at the half time break, but the Mustangs came out with determination in the third period, trimming the lead to just seven points midway through the third term.
The hosts looked likely to make a charge at Rockingham’s buffer, but the Rams responded to ensure they would run out victorious with a 68-39 win after some dominance down the stretch.
Halls Head also notched a win when they took down South Mandurah on Friday night, evening the two teams up on a 3-3 record.
Rounding out the weekend was Baldivis taking a seven-point win over Centrals, which also evened their records up with both sides square at 2-4.
Reserves
The Rams remain atop the reserves table following a crushing victory over Mandurah.
Rockingham tallied a handsome 78 goals to Mandurah’s 30, keeping them unbeaten on the year.
Meanwhile, Waroona’s win over Pinjarra lifted them into the top four while South Mandurah’s twos toppled Halls Head 62-24 to hold onto their second-place position.
Baldivis took down Centrals 51-42 for their fourth win of the season.
Open
A top-two clash between Halls Head and South Mandurah highlighted the open category, but unfortunately for the Falcons it was the Lightning shining brightest.
The Halls Head girls handed South Mandurah their first loss of the year 50-37, moving them back to top spot.
Rockingham sits equal with both of them on a 5-1 record after a 73-32 drubbing of the Mustangs, with Pinjarra just a game behind after topping Waroona 48-32.
Centrals continued to struggle without a win, this time going down 55-44 to Baldivis.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
