SWFL women’s: South Bunbury keep pressure on top four with 42-point win over Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault

South Bunbury’s women’s side kept the pressure on the South West Football League’s top four teams with a 42-point win over Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault at Brunswick Oval on Sunday. The sixth-placed Lions produced another plucky performance, but were unable to match the skill of the visitors, who won their third game in a row 7.6 (48) to 1.0 (6). The Tigers remain fifth after the win but now only trail fourth-placed Dunsborough on percentage. Fresh off representing the State country team on Friday night, South Bunbury captain Kaitlin Eades was the game-breaker for her side, kicking three goals and playing a big hand in multiple others. Spearhead Mikayla Balloch also kicked two goals for the winners, while skipper Kiarni Stevens led a resolute defence. Eades ensured the visitors got off to a bright start, bursting from traffic to tee up Balloch for the first goal of the day before finding the major opening herself shortly after. The Lions did not look overmatched and an excellent Matilda Fowler finish from tight on the boundary line ensured they headed for quarter-time with a goal but trailing by eight points. Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault had some deep entries in the second term but were unable to capitalise, before the Tigers made the most of their attacking chances with goals to Jada Scott and Eades. The Lions refused to give up in the third term with most of the play an arm wrestle in the middle of the ground. The Tigers kicked the only goal of the quarter through Balloch being able to control a loose ball on the goal-line and slot her second. In the final term, the hosts continued to give their all but could not progress the ball out of their defensive half, before Eades capped off a great day by rolling home her third and Abbey Bain’s first goal of the year sparked big celebrations. Latisha Hough, Calista Harvey and Zoe Roberts gave their all for the Lions, who look to be one of the competition’s big in-season improvers.