SOUTH L’TON 10.11 (71)
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BRIDGENORTH 7.13 (55)
NTFA division 1 ladder leader South Launceston maintained its unbeaten record with a hard-fought 16-point victory over a gallant Bridgenorth in their game at Youngtown on Saturday.
In a low-scoring affair in tough windy and conditions, little separated the two teams all day in a good contest.
The determined Parrots pushed the Bulldogs from the outset, but the reigning premier showed its class to survive a last-quarter challenge and a couple of late goals in the final quarter saw South prevail 10.11 (71) to 7.13 (55).
Darren Crawford finished with four goals for South and Jordan Tepper two and Brady Demeijer was the Parrots only multiple goalkicker with two.
With coach Aaron Viney away overseas, Chad Baker took over the coaching reins for South and was happy with the side’s win in trying conditions.
‘‘We had wet weather conditions with a strong breeze so most scoring was at one end,’’ Baker said.
‘‘Bridgenorth were really good at the stoppages today but I thought our young blokes matched them there and I think our fitness and skill edged them out in the end.
‘‘We still have four or five key personnel out so the pleasing thing for me was that we got some more game time into our young kids and they performed well on the big stage.’’
South held a five to nine point lead for most of the final quarter in a see-saw affair but managed a couple of forward entries and goals in the last couple of minutes of the game to take the final margin out to 16 points.
Matthew Viney put in his best game of the year so far in a best on ground performance providing plenty of run and drive off half-back.
Bulldogs captain Leigh Harding was his usual impressive self around the contests and Luke McCarty was a rock at centre half-back.
Baker said the Bulldogs emerged unscathed injury-wise and hoped to regain Beau Green and Shane Wager after the bye.
Steven Mayne was a late withdrawal before the game with a sore knee.
‘‘It was an indicator for us coaches after winning games easily to be challenged today and still come out on top was outstanding by our boys,’’ he said.
‘‘We know if we are not at our best and other teams are up that two or three per cent then other teams can challenge us and beat us if we are not on our game.’’