Lions’ first half sets up victory

A dominant first half led Harvey Brunswick-Leschenault to a 27-point win over Augusta-Margaret River at Gloucester Park on Saturday.

The twilight game saw the Lions take the jump early in the clash to win 13.7 (85) to 8.10 (58).

The Lions came out strong, keeping the Hawks scoreless and kicking five goals to lead by 33 points at the end of the first term.

The Lions then booted the first goal for the second quarter and it looked as if the Hawks would struggle.

But quick footwork from Hawks youngsters Jacob Oakes and Jack McMahon saw the home side boot two goals to put themselves back in the game.

The Lions put their foot down in the second quarter working well in the midfield and making good leads to drive the ball forward.

Their efforts in the second quarter saw the visitors secure an 8.5 (53) to 2.3 (15) lead at half-time.

But the game was far from over as the Hawks came out firing after the main break.

They applied plenty of pressure, but were not able to top the Lions’ consistency.

Tyson Wood worked well in the ruck for the Lions and Kristin Thornton proved dangerous on the forward line, booting four goals for the match.

By the third quarter the Hawks gathered plenty of possession, but it was their execution that let them down, booting five behinds and just the two goals for the quarter.

It looked like the game might have been out of the Hawks reach when the visitors booted four goals to hold to lead by 47 points.

The last term of the match saw the Hawks rebound strongly, dominating play and booting four goals to one, but a few poor possessions let the home team down.

The Lions lacked consistency in the final term, but the Hawks could not close the margin.

Lions coach Derek Hall said he was happy with his team’s form for most of the match.

“We haven’t had a game like that this year where we’ve been in front, so it was a new experience for our boys and they handled it pretty well up until the last quarter,” he said.

“The last quarter didn’t go exactly as you would’ve planned but we did have a few sore boys and credit to Margaret River, they kept it coming.

“But we are pleased, it’s never easy to come to Margaret River and get the win so we are happy to take away the four points.”

Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault 5.3, 8.5, 12.6, 13.7, (85)

Augusta-Margaret River 0.0, 2.3, 4.7, 8.10, (58)

Goals: Harv-Bruns-Lesch – K Thornton 4, D Heasman 2, T Armitage 2, Z Piper 2, J Hawkesley, L Beaver, J Perkins. Aug-Marg River – J McMahon 2, J Oakes, J Payne, B Morgan, C Rodgers, K Kevill, S Grantis.

Best: Harv-Bruns-Lesch – J Hawkesley, Z Piper, T Armitage, T Wood, K Thornton, E Smith. Aug-Marg River – S Grantis, J Price, J Payne, L Adams, C Melvin, J Oakes.