GNFL round 15: Chapman Valley undefeated no more as Rams take down Royals

Northampton has put an end to Chapman Valley’s undefeated run, winning by 31 points at home on Saturday.

The Rams took the game to the Valley from the very start, looking to impose themselves on the contest.

The Royals were able to match them early, but found themselves needing to play catch up later.

Northampton looked the better side, but despite their dominance, Chapman Valley was down by just two goals at half time.

However, the Rams continued to up the ante, driving forward with seven second-half goals to create the separation and run home with the 15.13 (103) to 11.6 (72) win.

Northampton’s Dylan Ralph worked hard all day in the guts to help his side get the win, bursting through the centre square to give his side the advantage.

Skipper Braden Jupp was also influential, while Harry Taylor and Albert Dean were important with seven goals between them to help the Rams take the win.

For the Royals, the returning Beau Simpson did his best in the midfield to lift the side in the absence of JJ Clune medallist Kim Schofield.

Forward Tyrone Papertalk Jr tried to keep his team in it with a bag of seven, while Tom Walker down back played a strong key position game.

The loss ends the Valley’s undefeated streak, after 10 wins and a draw with Brigades in round 14.

It was Northampton’s Dean who kicked things off, getting the first goal of the match before Royal Lee Hutchins got the quick response.

The two sides traded goals throughout, but it was the Rams who were off to the early seven-point lead at quarter time.

Northampton got on a role in the second, kicking back-to-back goals, before Papertalk Jr began to have an influence.

He kicked back to back goals against the run of play, forcing the Rams on the back foot.

Needing a steadier before half time, Taylor showed his experience, winning a contested mark inside 50 and converting to create a 12-point buffer at half time.

Northampton continued the momentum in the second half, as Kingsley Smith marked inside 50 and converted in the opening two minutes of the half.

From there the floodgates opened, making life difficult for Chapman Valley.

Taylor, Trent Simpson, and Blake Luxton all hit the scoreboard to create a 31-point lead.

Desperate for a goal, Hutchins was the man for the Valley, finding space to kick truly to give his side some momentum heading into the final term.

With their winning streak under threat, Chapman Valley threw everything they had at the Rams, with Papertalk Jr converting for his fifth early in the final term.

The spark of energy did little to deter the reigning premiers, who wouldn’t be denied.

Goals to Jack Cripps, Taylor, and Jupp sealed the deal for the Rams, who head into the bye just two points behind the Royals in first.

At the Red Dust Holdings Recreation Ground, a Buccaneers star took to the field as Railways survived a scare against Rovers, taking an 18-point win.

With the Buccs bowing out of the NBL1 West, star player Johny Narkle played his first game for the Blues since 2022.

He was more than a handy inclusion, proving to be the difference with six goals to his name.

Railways were ahead at every change, but the accuracy of Rovers kept them in the contest.

However, it wasn’t enough to pull off an upset, with the Blues winning 14.11 (95) to 12.5 (77).

At WA Country Builders Stadium, Towns kept their top four hopes alive in a big way, winning by 166 points over Mullewa.

The Bulldogs had 14 individual goal scorers, with Beau Walker kicking a game-high five majors as his side won 27.22 (184) to 3.0 (18).

In the women’s, Chapman Valley kept its hopes for a top two finish alive by defeating Northampton.

In the reserves, Railways had a 108-point win over Rovers, while Chapman Valley won a close game against Northampton, winning by four points.

Mullewa’s colts continued their impressive season defeating Towns by 56 points, while Railways and Northampton also picked up big wins.