Tigers cruise their way to fourth position

South Bunbury pushed their way up into fourth on the ladder with a 42-point win over the Collie Eagles at Hands Oval on Sunday.

Despite missing key forward Leigh Kohlmann, the Tigers were able to find a number avenues to goal on their way to a 10.15 (75) to 4.9 (33) victory.

The first quarter was a tight, scrappy, low-scoring affair, but the Tigers managed to make good use of the breeze to kick three goals to one.

The two teams traded blows throughout the second term, with ruckman Paul Rinder pulling one back for the Eagles almost immediately, but a ripper goal into the breeze by Jack Deschamp (three goals) put the visitors back on their heels.

Eagle Liam Rueben managed to kick a second goal with the breeze before Ethan Nordahl (two goals) restored the Tigers’ comfortable lead.

The Eagles’ defence worked over-time in the third term, with Mat Michael playing well, while Teke Vernon, Rhys Chappell and Kolby Fleay were doing their best in the midfield.

Still the Tigers managed to break through though, booting four goals to none to cement the victory.

The young Tigers seemingly ran out of fresh legs in the last term, kicking just one goal, but they were able to hold strong against the Eagles, who were wayward in front of goal.

Rueben booted his second goal late in the game, but the Eagles had wasted a number of opportunities, kicking seven behinds.

South Bunbury teenager Cole Sawyer put the icing on the cake with a last quarter goal, finishing off a fantastic day for the home side.

South Bunbury, 3.3, 5.7, 9.11, 10.15, 75

Collie Eagles, 1.0, 3.1, 3.2, 4.9, 33

Goals: South Bunbury – J. Deschamp 3, E. Nordahl 2, C. Hutcheson, W. Butler, J. Wright, C. Sawyer, J. Crossman. Collie Eagles – L. Reuben 2, J. Fontana, P. Rinder.

Best: South Bunbury – J. Deschamp, T. Sears, J. Crossman, N. Butler, M. Thompson, J. McVee. Collie Eagles – M. Michael, P. Rinder, T. Vernon, K. Fleay, R. Chappell, T .Michael.