UGSFL 2023: Wickepin bounce back from early deficit to edge out Boddington, Katanning and Williams win big

Wickepin strengthened their claims for a top-two finish in the Upper Great Southern Football League competition on Saturday, edging past Boddington by 13 points in Boddington. The Eagles narrowly led at every change but it was a classy final quarter for the Warriors that proved the difference late. A brilliant eight-goal haul from Eagles’ Riley Holden wasn’t enough to see his side notch a sixth win for 2023. The visitors were outscored four goals to three in the first term and a three-goal apiece second quarter had the Eagles in front by four points at the long break. That margin was trimmed to a solitary point at the last change, and with momentum on their side, the Warriors piled on three goals to Eagle’s one in the final term to run away with a 12.11 (83) to 10.10 (70) victory. Matt Jukes was a pillar of strength in the forward line, finishing with four goals, while Cumoram Desmond (three goals) and Jethro Duffy (two) were the other multiple goal kickers. Desmond and Jukes were outstanding while Flynn Spark, Fraser Wittwer, Billy Clay and Jordan Flavel were also among the best. The home side were best served by Holden, Ryan Bennell, Lewis Gillespie, Ben Sherry, Callum Giles-Morton and Troy Egerton-Warburton. Meanwhile, Katanning Wanderers stormed to a crushing 145-point win against Kukerin-Dumbleyung on Sunday to remain atop the UGSFL ladder with five rounds left. Kicking to the end favoured by the breeze, the Tigers were wasteful after an early Tyrone Roe goal and had 3.10 on the board at quarter-time. The visitors put the Cougars to the sword in the second, however, kicking nine goals to one as Laurence Collard and Caleb Keley fired. A brilliant goal from the pocket by Coen Marwick was the only highlight for the Cougars in a bleak opening half. In the end the Tigers won 26.20 (176) to 5.1 (31), as Keley finished with six goals and was well supported by Collard (five), Mitchell Banks (four) and Kade Stewart (three). The Tigers were best served by Banks, James Laurino, Reece Nicholson, Stewart, Keley, Haiden Schloithe and Collard. Stockton Cruz Shotter was among Cougars’ best with two goals and the Cougars were best served by Deklan Georgy, Brodie Kingston, Ryan Taylor, Austin Shotter and Toby Perin. In the final fixture on Sunday, Williams coasted to a 101-point win against Wagin. Addison Dew was terrific throughout the four quarters and snagged seven goals while Angus Longmire (three), Alex Donaldson, Cameron Smith and Riley Ford also shined. The Bulldogs were best served by George Gibson, Jack Manners, Kade Prowse, Mark Allington, Cooper Young and Benjamin Wardle.