OFA 2023: Reigning premiers Gnowangerup keep top-two hopes alive, Newdegate big winners on home turf

Gnowangerup kept their hopes of a top-two finish alive after a gutsy 11-point win over Boxwood Hill on Saturday afternoon.

With three rounds left in the regular season, three teams are separated by just four points in the Ongerup Football Association.

The Bulldogs moved into third on the ladder and level on points with the second-placed Boxwood Hill and Newdegate, who are fourth.

Only percentage splits the three teams in the battle for second, with Lake Grace-Pingrup two games and percentage clear on top of the ladder.

In round 12 in Boxwood on Saturday, the Bulldogs held on in a pulsating final term for their fifth win of the season.

The Bulldogs, who are chasing a fourth straight league premiership, prevailed 9.7 (61) to 7.8 (50) and have games against Jerramungup and Lake Grace-Pingrup to come.

In the other league fixture on Saturday, the Lions powered to a comfortable victory over the winless Eagles in Newdegate.

The Eagles were more than competitive in the opening half and trailed by 37 points at half-time.

However the home side clicked into gear after the long break, kicking 13 goals to three on their way to a dominant 106-point win.

The Lions’ best contributors were Nelson Kent, Dean Rintoul, Dale Ness and Chris Wollaston.

For the visitors, Jayden Brooks, Brendan Lee, Aaron Winters and Wade Brown toiled hard all afternoon.