SOUTH Launceston withstood a Hillwood fightback in the third quarter and maintained its undefeated record in NTFA division 1 with a hard-fought 20-point victory in a good game yesterday at Hillwood.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Bulldogs' pressure was outstanding in the first half as they banged on eight goals while holding the home side to just one to open up a big 47-point advantage at half-time.
But the Sharks came out fired up after the main break to kick 10 goals to two in the third to grab back a five-point lead at the last change.
But South steadied and withstood the challenge finishing off the better in the final quarter to record a 15.11 (101) to 12.9 (81) victory.
Darren Crawford and Leigh Harding, on his return from injury, led in the goal kicking for the Bulldogs with two each to Joel Mountney, Adam Viney and Jake Laskey.
Laine Cleaver was outstanding as the Bulldogs' best player providing plenty of run and drive off half-back all game, with Cody Linger in the ruck working hard and Harding and Laskey their other main standouts.
South Launceston coach Aaron Viney was happy with his side's ability to fight hard when challenged and come away with the win.
``I was very happy with our first half,'' Viney said.
``We got the score on the board and did everything we needed to do - we pressured their ball carrier and didn't give them a lot of space which they like.
``We kept an open forward line which enabled a few of our boys to get in and crumb a few goals.''
Viney said the Bulldogs went away from the basics in the third quarter and became undisciplined and Hillwood's forwards started to get on top, especially Tom Bennett who finished up with five goals for the Sharks.
``They kicked seven or eight goals to be in front in the last quarter,'' he said.
``Darren Crawford got on the end of a few and we ended up winning by a few goals.''
Viney said he told his players they had to lift at three-quarter time.
``We knew we had to settle early in the last which we did kicking a couple of goals and we got our discipline back and went back to basics and man-on-man with a lot of tackling pressure.''
Mark Walsh and Luke Pinner were good for the Sharks along with Nathan Barry and Luke Polanowski.SOUTH L'TON 15.11 (101)
HILLWOOD 12.9 (81)