OFA 2023: Boxwood Hill survive scare, Newdegate cause massive upset to keep top-two hopes alive

Boxwood Hill survived an eight-goal second-quarter onslaught from winless Jerramungup to emerge with a five-point victory in round 13 of the Ongerup Football Association on Saturday.

The Bombers launched out of the blocks in their 9.12 (66) to 9.7 (61) win at Jerramungup, kicking four unanswered goals in the first term.

The Eagles showed perhaps more fight than they have all year in the second quarter booting eight goals to two, taking a seven-point lead into the main break.

The third was an arm wrestle but the Bombers held the hosts scoreless while booting a goal for themselves to steal back the advantage by a solitary point going into the final term.

In search of their first win, the Eagles squandered numerous opportunities in front of goal in the final quarter, leaving the door open for the Bombers to seal the victory.

The Bombers now sit second on the ladder, a win clear and with a game in hand over Newdegate heading into the final two regular rounds.

Hayden Richter (two goals), Shane Davy (two) and Michael Swarbrick (two) did the damage in front of goals for the Bombers.

Beau Vaux, Rohan Vaux (one) and Corey Nelson were also key contributors for the visitors.

John Harris kicked two goals and was well supported by Aaron Winters, Jayden Brooks, and Jarvis Wisewould for the Eagles.

Michael Lester and Kalan Bailey were their other multiple goal kickers for the home side.

In the other league fixture, Lake Grace-Pingrup were dealt just their second loss of the season after Newdegate’s six-goal first quarter helped set up a 9.9 (63) to 8.5 (53) upset win at Lake Grace on Saturday.

With a position in the top-two still up for grabs, the Lions had a point to prove piling on six first quarter-goals to take a 23-point advantage into the first break.

The Bombers wrestled back momentum in the third, booting three goals to one, cutting the defect to two straight kicks at half-time.

The third quarter was evenly poised with both teams only managing a goal but the Lions extended their half-time lead by just one point heading into three-quarter-time.

The hosts won the final quarter two goals to one but the Lions’ only major would prove to be the dagger to the Bombers’ hearts.

The Lions’ 10-point win keeps their top-two hopes alive.

Lions’ Dean Rintoul, Jacob Conti, Nelson Kent and Riley Bridge were pivotal in causing the upset win.

Alexander Duckworth, Konnah Holmes, Mitchell O’Neill and Jack Carruthers fought hard all day for the hosts.