Gritty round one win for Lake Grace-Pingrup after holding off late challenge from Boxwood Hill

Lake Grace-Pingrup have held on late to record their first win of the new Ongerup Football Association season, doing enough to down Boxwood Hill by eight points at Boxwood on Saturday afternoon.

The visitors dominated early proceedings, kicking six goals to Boxwood’s one major in the first quarter and the game looked like it was shaping up to be one-sided.

But after a response in the second quarter where Boxwood hit the score sheet with two goals, momentum began to shift in the home side’s favour.

Boxwood stunned Lake Grace in the third term as they piled on four unanswered goals while keeping their opponents scoreless to set up a thrilling finish.

Lake Grace-Pingrup rallied late though, kicking two goals in the final stanza while Boxwood bagged two of their own but the visitors prevailed 11.3 (69) to 9.7 (61) at the final siren.

The home side were left to rue their lacklustre first quarter as Lake Grace-Pingrup held on late in a dramatic finish.

Jackson Callope and Karl Fleay both kicked four goals in outstanding displays for the winners while George Bungey and Hayden Richter finished with three majors each for Boxwood.

In the other league game, defending premiers Gnowangerup notched their first win of the season after beating Newdegate by 26 points in Newdegate on Saturday.

Bulldogs star Lewis Davis (three goals) kicked a bag while Jarrod Offer (two) and Arron Russell (two) were the main avenues to goal for the Lions.

Cody Harris, Liam Phillips and Michael Long were named the best players for the Bulldogs who won 10.14 (74) to 7.6 (48).

The Lions were best served by Harvey Lynch, Jack Walter and Riley Bridger.