Bulldogs keep season alive with gritty win over Chapman Valley as Hawks and Rams boost percentage

Towns did almost everything they could to end up on the losing side once again but Ashleigh Jones stood tall to convert their dominance and keep their season alive.

It was a match-up between last year’s top two sides who have found themselves firmly in the midfield this season and it was desperate times to get their seasons going.

After three losses by less than two goals, Towns needed a win while the Royals faced a test after easy wins over the bottom two sides.

Olivia Bidwell returned for Towns and her match-up against Taylah Broadhurst would be the key to either side’s fortunes.

Last time these sides met in the second semifinal the Royals kicked four unanswered goals to virtually kill the contest as they held the Bulldogs scoreless.

Once again Towns did not score in the opening quarter but at least this time neither did the Royals as the two sides could not be separated.

Chapman Valley got on the scoreboard with Lucinda Rouse back for her first game of the season kicking the opening goal.

Towns would also hit the scoreboard but would manage only a behind as they trailed 1-6 at the half.

Towns had more of the ball but somehow slipped further behind as Lexi Chapman added a second for the Royals with the Bulldogs adding another two behinds making 0.3 across the first three quarters.

The Bulldogs would continue to dominate the game and continue to waste opportunities as they kicked another four behinds bringing the total up to 0.7 to trail by five points despite the Royals having just two scoring shots.

But the weight of numbers eventually won out as Jones manage to slot Towns’ first goal in the closing minutes of the contest and give Towns their second win of the season by the barest of margins, 1.7 (13) to 2.0 (12).

Elsewhere Brigades continue to lead the competition as they push their percentage past 700 with an 11.9 (75) to 0.1 (1) win over Mullewa.

Nine players got themselves on the goal-scoring sheet with Tira-Li Mason and Sabre Oswald the only multiple goal-kickers.

At Greenough, Northampton smashed the Rovers 14.11 (95) to 1.1 (7) to join the Hawks on four wins.

The Rams kicked seven straight goals in the opening quarter and never looked back with Selina Kiddle unstoppable up forward.

Mikenna Schultz also kicked a couple of goals in a dominant game while Kyra Quartermine gave the Demons something to smile about with her first ever goal to cap off what was a good run of play late in the contest.