OFA 2023: Late goal helps Boxwood Hill defeat reigning premiers Gnowangerup, Newdegate register first win

Boxwood Hill began the 2023 Ongerup Football Association season with an impressive win, knocking off reigning premiers Gnowangerup on Saturday afternoon.

After having the bye in the first round, Boxwood played at home in round two and came from behind at quarter-time to record a tight seven-point win.

The Bulldogs had a strong start and led by 14 points at the first break before the home side hit back with three majors in the second term to take a slender one-point advantage into half time.

Boxwood skipped 12 points clear by the final change and did enough to hold the Bulldogs at bay in the fourth quarter to snare their first win of the season.

Michael Swarbrick and Jack Davis were the main avenues to goal for the home side and a late major helped seal the 11.5 (71) to 9.10 (64) triumph.

Boxwood were best served by George Bungey, Corey Nelson and Alex Baum.

Murray Hayward kicked two goals for the Bulldogs while James Dewar, captain Lewis Davis and Mac Crichton were their best contributors.

In the other round two fixture Newdegate were emphatic 64-point winners against Jerramungup at Newdegate. The Lions kicked eight goals in a dominant second term to open up a 44-point buffer.

Spearhead Chris Wollaston was on fire in the attacking 50 while Nelson Kent and Jack Walter were having plenty of influence.

Three unanswered goals from the home side in the third term all but ended any hope of an Eagles comeback.

It was four goals apiece in the final term but the Lions ran out big winners in the end, 19.11 (125) to 9.7 (61).

Wollaston was the star with five goals and fellow forward Arron Russell bagged four while Walter and Kent (two goals) were superb in their side’s first win of the season.

The Eagles were best served by Tate Barrett, Jayden Brooks, Wade Brown and Joshua Grahame while Marshall Solomon-Maere finished with three majors in the loss.