Bombers soak up crucial triumph
TIWI recorded its thirdstraight win at Tiwi Oval yesterday, accounting for Waratah in a tight tussle which could have gone either way in the last term.
The Bombers took a 10point lead into the final change, but an Andre Ellis goal for the Warriors early in the fourth quarter put the pressure right on.
Brenton Toy’s men stood tall, however, kicking three of the next four goals to continue a golden streak of form, which has also seen them topple St Mary’s and Darwin.
The 11.15 (81) to 9.8 (62) win came after a huge downpour pre-match, which provided a soaked playing surface in the first half.
Toy said he was proud of the way his Bombers adjusted to the conditions and knuckled down to maintain control.
“It was a bit of a sketchy game, the weather came in early and it really bucketed down,” he said.
“It really took away our ability to use the footy like we do, so it became a bit of a scrap and as it dried up, we were able to get more of the footy.
“To get a win against Waratah, who are above us on the ladder and have a great coach in Ryan Ayres, is huge … in setting us up to have half a chance of making a run to the finals.”
Tiwi took a 13-point lead into half-time after kicking six goals in the opening two quarters. Two came off the boot of Dion Munkara, who was electric in midfield.
Timmy Mosquito conducted proceedings well from the backline in partnership with Justin Beugelaar for Tahs, although Ayres’ troops couldn’t sustain an early run of dominance which saw them kick two of the first three goals.
Jason Puruntatameri was solid in defence for the Bombers mopping up scraps, while Ross Tungatalum proved the perfect foil for Munkara, kicking the match’s opening goal and another during the second half.
Waratah found its rhythm in the third term to get within three points, as forward Thomas Toma came into the game. The hosts responded just before the break, however, through fly-in Christian Burgess, to increase the buffer. TIWI BOMBERS V WARATAH BEST 3.4 6.7 8.11 11.15 2.3 4.6 7.7 9.8 GOALS