Tigers scrape home despite dodgy scoreboard

A scoreboard error caused confusion as South Bunbury claimed their first win of the season, defeating Augusta-Margaret River by a point at Gloucester Park on Saturday night.

When the final siren sounded, the scoreboard showed that the Hawks had won, but after a meeting between the two goal umpires this was amended and the Tigers were awarded a 10.10 (70) to 10.9 (69) victory.

Hawks coach Matt Jamieson said the confusion cost the team, who “defended hard for the last four minutes when we thought we had the lead”.

For much of the game the Tigers were in control and they led by 21 points at the final break, before the young side tired and let the home team back into the match.

Both sides worked hard to secure the upper hand in the first minutes of the game and even after the first goal by the Tigers, the score was kept tight all quarter.

Things heated up on the field and the umpires were forced to step in and separate players, with Hawk Jake Rodgers and Tiger Jaxon Bell both yellow carded.

Jack Hick (five goals) started the second quarter much like he finished the first, with a goal for the Hawks through a determined offensive.

But Augusta-Margaret River only enjoyed the upper hand for a wistfully short time, before Leigh Kohlmann (four goals) took an incredible mark and kicked his first goal.

Kohlmann made another slew of attempts on goal, but his radar was off.

The Hawks had poor luck, with some ambitious attempts on the goal by Matthew Jukes and Hick missing.

Ethan Nordhal led the charge and landed the Tigers’ first major of the quarter, followed by Kohlmann as the visitors sprinted ahead.

But the Hawks were determined to keep the margin tight, as Mitch Lynn snatched the ball out of a contest to kick his team’s first major of the quarter.

The Tigers pushed ahead in the third quarter with a strong lead thanks to players like Guy Piggott (three goals), who kicked two goals for the term.

South Bunbury began to tire in the final quarter and the Hawks were quick to take advantage, chasing down the 21-point lead margin before switching to the defensive to try and maintain their lead.

The Hawks’ pushed hard in the final term and worked their way back into the game, but their apparent lead on the scoreboard was wrong and the four points were given to the Tigers.

South Bunbury coach David Obal applauded his players, half of which were young enough to play for the Colts.

Scoreboard

South Bunbury 4.1 6.5 9.7 10.10 (70) def Aug-Marg River 3.3 4.4 7.4 10.9 (69)

GOALS:

South Bunbury - L. Kohlmann 4, G. Piggott 3, E. Nordahl 2, L. McKenna.

Aug-Marg River - J. Hick 5, H. Morgan, J. Veitch, M. Jukes, M. Lynn, J. Payne.

BEST:

South Bunbury - B. Latch, J. Wright, S. Stein, E. Nordahl, J. Montgomerie, W. Butler.

Aug-Marg River - M. Lynn, B. Gerrans, J. Payne, J. Hick, L. Adams, S. Grantis.