Bunbury have won the Tronox Women’s First Semi Final at VC Mitchell Park on Saturday afternoon, with a twelve point win over Donnybrook.
Daisy Rigby received a fortuitous free kick in the early stages, duly converting to give the Bulldogs the early lead. Caitlin Ward kicked the Bulldogs second after another free kick, with saw the Bunbury side fourteen points in front close to quarter time.
The Dons lifted their intensity in the second term, with Jess Verbrugge kicking the Dons first, with the ball going over the intended target, rolling through for a goal. Donnybrook’s attack was relentless, with Bunbury’s defence coming under enormous pressure. A fifty metre penalty saw a quick transference to a one on one contest in the goal square leading to Isabel Delaporte goal, reducing the margin to a point. Daisy Rigby would kick an excellent goal soon after, with three soccer kicks in greasy conditions, getting the ball across the line while being chased all the way by the Donnybrook defender. That goal gave the Bulldogs a seven point half time lead.
The third term saw the Dons dominate possession without being able to score, but eventually Skye Dalton was able to pick the ball up and snap a great goal, reducing the margin back to a point. With the game in the balance, Daisy Rigby laid a strong take on the behind line, converting a right foot banana to give the Bulldogs back a seven point advantage.
Rigby would prove the difference, kicking the first goal of the final term to give Bunbury a fourteen point lead, and her fourth for the match.
The win puts Bunbury into a Preliminary Final next Sunday at Hands Memorial Oval, where they will play either Busselton or Harvey Brunswick Leschenault. The Dons finish in fourth place.
SCOREBOARD
Bunbury 2.2.14 3.2.20 4.3.27 5.3.33
Donnybrook 0.0.0 2.1.13 3.1.19 3.3.21
Goals: Bunbury – Daisy Rigby 4, Caitlin Ward 1. Donnybrook – Jess Verbrugge 1, Isabel Delaporte 1, Skye Dalton 1.
Best: Bunbury – Daisy Rigby, Georgia Mahony, Leila Fotu, Lilith Eathorne, Ebony Bilcich, Keeva Martindale. Donnybrook – Jessica Verbrugge, Maddi Miller, Skye Dalton, Chelsea Blakers, Rachel Boothman, Isabel Delaporte
Ground: VC Mitchell Park
Umpires: Daniella Schoeman, John Strano
Crowd: 800 Approx
Images courtesy of Wayne Hislop