Bunbury Bulldogs women’s team kept to one goal in 27-point defeat against top-four rival Busselton Magpies

Busselton’s Magpies are now pecking at the the heels of Bunbury’s second-place position in the SWFL’s womens competition after keeping their opponents to one goal.

The Magpies took out a comfortable 5.7 (37) to 1.4 (10) victory at Sir Stewart Bovell Park on Sunday afternoon, in a reversal of fortunes from when the two sides met in April. Coming back from a three-week break, the refreshed home side kept the visitors to a behind in the first quarter while themselves scoring a goal.

Despite thrashing ladder-leaders Harvey Bulls in the previous round, the second-placed Bulldogs were unable to get serious cut-through, failing to score a goal in the first half as the Magpies lead grew to 11 points by the end of the second quarter.

The third quarter saw Cally Allen walked off the field with an injury, but it was not all bad news. Ebony Bilcich finally broke Bunbury’s goal draught, becoming the side’s only goal scorer of the match.

The side were left trying to prevent further corrosion of their defence for the remainder of the game, being completely scoreless in the final quarter.

Kate Fielding helped Busselton rack up their percentage with one of the two goals scored by the side in the fourth quarter, with Rennie Meadmore and Shannon Pross also single goalscorers for the match.

Mia van Kleef was the Magpies’ leading scorer with two goals.

Busselton will seek to keep up the momentum when they go up against Carey Park at Kelly Park on Sunday, while Bunbury will be able to lick its wounds during its bye this weekend.