Busselton survived a close encounter with Harvey Brunswick Leschenault in the South West Football League to record an 11 point win.
It was a tough start for the Pies with the Lions coming out hard and strong. The match was a physical and hard fought contest all day.
HBL Lion Ty Anderson was the first to score with a quick goal on the run.
This blistering pace was evident whenever HBL turned over possession in the game. The Lions pounced on any small mistake from the Pies.
Anderson’s six points were followed by team mate Ty Armitage, who slotted through another.
Halfway through the first, Busselton star Liam Creighton took control for the home side and recorded the team’s first goal.
However, HBL responded quickly.
Busselton were caught holding the ball after a throw-in inside the Lions’ 50 and David Newman took advantage and scored.
The tight contest saw the return of Magpies captain Aidan Fraser from injury.
He split the posts late in the first, which marked a slight momentum swing back to the Pies.
In a great showing, Magpie Josh Embry intercepted a HBL kick and quickly handballed to Ethan Bowman.
Bowman’s kick bent back and went through the posts to take Busselton to the lead for the first time in the quarter, albeit, by one point.
Busselton managed another inside 50 before quarter time and Fraser was robbed of an opportunity for another goal as the siren sounded while attempting a mark.
HBL dominated the first half of the quarter, playing hard, fast and strong, but Busselton’s silky and quick weaves up the ground meant they were able to take the lead with 3.1.19 to the Lions’ 18 points.
In the second, Busselton managed to pull ahead but it was a hard grind against the physical Lions.
HBL bagged the first goal of the second quarter, but Fraser again stepped up to answer for his side.
Soon after, he set up team mate Mitchell Tenardi.
Fraser marked on the run and quickly handballed to a flying Tenardi, who kicked another major for the side.
Vice captain Jackson Arbon got involved in the scoreboard with a goal, while HBL’s Zavier Williams tried to claw it back for the visitors, only to send his shot across the face for a behind.
The Pies went into the major break leading 6.1.37 to 4.2. 26.
In the third, HBL didn’t lie down.
Lion Kristin Thornton snagged two quick goals and the HBL backline was near impossible to crack for the Pies.
HBL’s Mitchell Andrews’ mark on the goal line put pressure on the Pies as the momentum swung towards to Lions.
It didn’t look good for Busselton when they gave away a 50 metre penalty. Luckily, it resulted in a point and HBL’s next goal attempt hit the post.
Finally, the Maggies got a breakthrough with Creighton setting up Embry, who snapped a goal.
Just like that, it was back to a one point margin with the Pies leading 8.2.50 to Lions 7.7.49 at the third break.
In the final term, the Pies were able to keep the Lions goalless.
The visitors were kept to just one point while Busselton creeped away with a goal and five behinds.
Busselton’s win could have been more convincing if it hadn’t of been for that last quarter inaccuracy, which contrasted a very accurate scoreboard in the previous three quarters.
Their close win over HBL was reflective of the entire round, with only small margins separating teams in most of the other games.
This weekend Busselton Magpies will take on the Augusta Margaret River Hawks in the Busselton Toyota Cup at Gloucester Park.
Bounce down is at 2.20pm.
COLTS, RESERVES AND WOMEN’S LEAGUE RESULTS
The Busselton Magpies young guns have continued their stellar season in Colts knocking off the Harvey Brunswick Leschenault Lions.
The 19 point win was the contest the squad was craving after, a series of huge wins over lower placed sides.
The Pies led at the first break by a goal but in the second term HBL made a run for it and got slightly ahead.
The Lions led at the main break 39 to 35. Busselton then put their foot on the gas and took control of the match in the third.
Their four goals to zero third quarter set them up for the win, finishing off 10.8.68 to 7.7.49. Harry Curtin starred with three goals for the home team.
In Reserves, the scoreboard was similar but the result was reversed.
HBL managed to outclass the Maggies, 10.5.65 to 7.1.43.
There was only a goal in it during the first half, but again, it was the third quarter that decided the victor.
The Lions were able to record two majors and kept the Pies to just one point.
It was three goals a piece in the final term, but with the lead secured from the third, HBL claimed the win.
In the Women’s division, Chloe Wain (3) and Jazmyne Roberts (1) were named among the best after great performances. It was a highly contested game, however, Busselton were thirsty for their fourth on the trot and sealed the deal with a 4.7.31 to 2.1.13 win.
