Depleted Tigers, Pies fight it out in the wet

South Bunbury held on desperately to narrowly defeat a gallant Busselton by seven points at Hands Oval on Saturday evening.

Both teams were hit hard by injury, with Busselton playing four debutants, while South Bunbury were missing key forward Brynn Francis, Kurt Cadman and Josh Ryder in the 6.9 (45) to 6.2 (38) victory.

The Tigers kicked with the breeze in the first term, and after an even first 10 minutes they started to get on top.

South Bunbury forward Leigh Kohlmann showed his class in kicking three goals for the term, while midfielders Ryan Bennell and Kyle Hams were busy around the ground racking up the possessions.

Things seemed to being going all the way of Tigers way until captain Aidan Fraser managed Busselton’s only goal, reducing the Tigers’ lead to 27 points at the first change.

Busselton turned the game around in the second term.

Their ball movement was more precise and they were on top across the ground.

Fraser again stood up, kicking three goals for the quarter and to everyone’s shock,the margin was back to four points at the main break.

The rain came down at the start of the third, and the match became a real slog and the ball was locked in the Tigers’ forward line, with teenager Hayden Krikke kicking the only goal for the quarter.

The rain stopped and the Magpies had the breeze in the final term, giving them a real sniff of a win. When Ben Daniels kicked a goal from the boundary line, the margin was back to one straight kick. The Tigers defence was resolute though and the Magpies could not get the score on the board.

South Bunbury coach Mark Docking said he was slightly frustrated after the match, despite the win.

“We are playing a bit flat at the moment,” he said.

“The injuries are not helping, and we cannot get any stability in our line up.”

South Bunbury 5.4, 5.6, 6.7, 6.9, (45)

Busselton 1.1, 5.2, 5.2, 6.2, (38)

Goals: South Bunbury – L. Kohlmann 3, R. Bennell, J. Deschamp, H. Krikke. Busselton – A. Fraser 4, B. Daniels 2.

Best: South Bunbury – M. Giacci, R. Bennell, A. Hams, J. Bell, M. Hislop, J. Meadmore. Busselton – R. Mrsich, R. Bell, J. Fish, A. Fraser, B. Daniels, J. Embry.