Top of the ladder clash a beauty
GRAFTON has moved to the top of the senior men’s ladder after a nail biting victory over the Coffs Breakers.
Both Grafton and the Coffs Breakers went into Saturday’s top of the ladder match undefeated and the contest they produced at Ellem Oval on Saturday was worthy of a final.
Grafton were the better team for the first three quarters and led by more than four goals at the final break. The Tigers defence was setting up well behind the ball and quelled most of the Breakers attacking forays and Grafton was also winning the majority of clearances at stoppages.
But the Coffs Breakers refused to throw in the towel. Nicklaus Stanlan-Velt kicked kicked all five last quarter goals on his own to drag the Breakers back into the match but the Tigers held on in a nail biting finish to win by just three points.
This is the second close win of the season for Grafton who won by just four points at Nana Glen over Port Macquarie.
Saturday’s other match senior men’s match saw Northern Beaches stay in the finals race with a 27 point win over Sawtell/Toormina.
The Blues led by just 12 points at the main break but Fraser Duryea kicked four third quarter goals to take the match away from the Saints.
Tayler Perks kicked three goals of his own in the last term but it wasn’t enough for Sawtell/Toormina to get back into the contest.
Sawtell/Toormina’s Lilli-Yana Moody fires a handless away despite pressure from Northern Beaches opponents. Photo: Brad Greenshields
Blues consolidate third position
CENTENNIAL Oval saw Northern Beaches and Sawtell/Toormina battle it out for the vital third position on the ladder.
The Saints kicked the first goal of the match to get off to a positive start but Jess Midivaine produced a cracking match for the Blues booting five goals to give her team the ascendancy.
Coffs Breakers found form ahead of this weekend’s top of the ladder clash against Port Macquarie with a strong win over Grafton.
The Breakers kicked a total of 20 goals against the Tigers with Sarah Vidler leading the way with eight majors.
COMING UP – ROUND 8
Saturday, June 25
NORTHERN BEACHES vs GRAFTON at Centennial Oval, Woolgoolga
(Masters – Noon; Women – 1.20pm; Men – 2.50pm)
COFFS BREAKERS vs PORT MACQUARIE at Fitzroy Oval, Coffs Harbour
(Under-17s – 10am; Women – 11.50am; Reserves – 1.20pm; Men – 2.50pm)
SAWTELL/TOORMINA vs CASINO LIONS at Richardson Park, Sawtell
(Reserves – 1.20pm)
NAMBUCCA VALLEY vs GRAFTON at E.J Biffin Playing Fields, Nambucca Heads
(Reserves – 12.45pm)
Tuesday, June 28 (catch-up game)
COFFS BREAKERS vs SAWTELL/TOORMINA at Fitzroy Oval, Coffs Harbour
(Men – 6.30pm)
