Bombers edge Lions in prelim

Lake Grace-Pingrup secured the last grand final spot, accounting for Newdegate by 37 points in Saturday’s preliminary final of the Ongerup Football Association in Gnowangerup.

The Bombers set up another crack at defending premiers Boxwood Hill, the team who broke a 12-year flag drought in 2018, after leading at every change of the preliminary final. Despite their inaccuracy in front of goal, the Bombers led by 18 points at quarter-time and added another four goals in the second term to set up the victory.

The half-time margin of 29 was decisive as the Bombers were able to absorb a third-quarter fightback and then kick five goals to two in the fourth term on their way to a 12.10 (82) to 6.9 (45) win.

William Cook was terrific for the winners, player-coach Luke Bairstow again won a host of possessions and Ethan Wallace was also important. Jack Carruthers, Luke Henderson, Leighton Smith and Joshua Bellve kicked two majors each as their side made it through to the most important game of the season.

Chris Wollaston kicked three goals and was well supported by Kim Newman (two goals), both named in the Lions’ best players along with Aaron Guelfi but they could not match the run and spread of the Bombers.

Lions’ Jeremy Richardson (100 games) and Russell Harding (150) were chaired off after playing their milestone games in the final.

It will be the battle of the Bombers in this Saturday’s grand final in Jerramungup as Boxwood Hill take on Lake Grace-Pingrup.

Lake Grace-Pingrup won the reserves preliminary final by four points, kicking 4.11 to edge out Boxwood Hill, while in the juniors it was again Lake Grace-Pingrup that got the win as they downed Jerramungup by two points in a terrific finish.