Magpies force Tigers to fight

South Bunbury co-captain Chris Andrew produced an exceptional best-on-ground performance, dominating the ruck to steer the Tigers to a 16-point victory over Busselton.

Andrew was almost upstaged by his electrifying 16-year-old teammate Ryan Bennell, in the 9.14 (68) to 7.8 (50) win on Saturday night at Sir Stewart Bovell Park.

In the opening quarter, the fledgling Magpies’ intensity at both man and football was impressive.

They got off to an absolute flyer when Luke Hutchins sharked the ball from a boundary throw-in to snare the home side’s first major before Tayte Devenny kicked the Magpies’ second.

The Tigers looked nervous and their wayward goal kicking left their forwards visibly rattled at the first change, with only four points on the scoreboard.

Tigers’ coach Mark Docking said with his team focusing on getting the ball through the corridor and deeper into their forward line, they would eventually convert.

During the quarter time huddle, Docking settled his forwards, emphasising that their opportunities would come.

His prophesy came to fruition in the second term, when Damon Bull provided the desired midfield drive and the Tigers kicked four goals straight.

At half-time, Docking was relatively pleased with the team’s response, and Bull’s endeavour.

“Damon is an experienced player and a very strong running line breaker for us, so if we get the ball in his hands he does that for us, ” he said.

After the main break, Magpie Jackson Arbon snapped a freakish major, momentarily squaring the goal ledger.

In the final term, Andrew got proceedings underway for the Tigers when he tapped down to Bull who kicked his second.

From here the Tigers held on to finish with a tight victory against a young, enthusiastic Busselton outfit.