Kukerin-Dumbleyung knocked out of UGSFL finals after Boddington prevail in thrilling elimination final

Boddington overcame a 40-point deficit to progress to the preliminary final and eliminate Kukerin-Dumbleyung from the Upper Great Southern Football League premiership race. The Eagles and Cougars met in the first semifinal at Pingelly on Sunday and a cracking contest developed as they both wrestled for control in the opening half. The Cougars produced a dominant opening term, kicking seven goals to one as they held a 40-point advantage over the stunned Eagles. However, the Eagles quickly turned things around as they piled on eight majors in the second and conceded only one at the other end to snatch a three-point lead by half-time. The Eagles had kicked superbly in front of goal to have 9.1 to their name at the long break and that accuracy continued in the third as they added two more majors. The margin was cut to a single point though as the Cougars rallied with two goals in the third to ensure a thrilling finish. In the all-important final term, the Eagles had a couple of great passages of play that led to four goals and they held their opponents to one at the other end on their way to a 21-point victory. Damian Hayward was highly influential for the winners, while Eric Moody booted four majors in a telling display and captain Lewis Gillespie added three. Former AFL player Jarrod Cameron was a strong contributor for the Eagles in the 15.4 (94) to 11.7 (73) triumph and was well supported by Kele Readhead and Charlie Kelsall. A gallant Cougars outfit were well served by Jordan Jackson (two goals) and player-coach Justin Joyce (three) in the midfield but they couldn’t match the Eagles in the final stanza. Spearhead Eric Botha finished with four goals but missed other shots on goal, while teammates Byron Blevin, Sheldon Taylor, Cayden Jones and Peter Joyce all tried desperately to get their side over the line. The Eagles progress to this Sunday’s preliminary final, where they will face the Katanning Wanderers in Wickepin with a grand final berth on the line, while the Cougars’ strong season has come to an end. In the minor grades first semifinals, Brookton-Pingelly defeated the Tigers by 52 points in the reserves, the Tigers won the thirds final by 68 points over the Panthers and Wagin progressed in the fourths after downing Williams by 33 points.