Uni holds off Bombers
Gallant run not enough at USQ Oval
AUSSIE RULES: University has held off a spirited South Toowoomba charge to maintain a decisive gap at the pinnacle of the senior women’s competition.
The Cougars toughed out a 7.11 (53) to 4.7 (31) victory over the Bombers, keeping themselves 12 points clear at the top of the ladder.
In a win described as “scrappy” by University coach Andrew Baird, the Cougars were able to hold off a second-quarter charge from South Toowoomba to record their 11th win of the season.
“We’re struggling with a lot of injuries and were carrying a lot of girls who were quite ill,” Baird said.
“It provided an opportunity for some of those less-experienced girls to get around the footy, and I thought they stood up to the task well.
“It’s one of those games that we were lucky to get away with. South Toowoomba really came back at us in the second quarter.
“We play them again in the last two rounds and that will be a great challenge and opportunity for us. They have been building all season. There is quality in that team and I think they’ll really shake up the finals.”
Toowoomba showed it is not to be counted out, firing on all cylinders against an undermanned South Burnett side, prevailing 30.11 (191) to 0.0 (0).
Meg Pullinger kicked 13 goals to take her season tally to 46.
ONE-SIDED SCORES DOMINATE MEN’S MATCHES
Round 15 of the Allied Pickfords Cup was characterised by lop-sided scores, as finals contenders looked to boost their percentages in a tight competition.
The only fixture of the round that remained relatively competitive was University and South Toowoomba, in a match with serious finals ramifications.
Looking to continue its push for a top-three spot, University came out of the blocks firing, kicking 4.0 to open up a handy 16-point lead after the first quarter.
Their accuracy in front of goal continued throughout the rest of the contest on the back of five majors to Jaiden Fidge, on their way to a deserved 14.5 (89) to 6.9 (45) victory.
Goondiwindi remained on top of the ladder with a thumping 41.14 (260) to 0.0 (0) defeat of Chinchilla.
David O’Toole kicked 10 goals while Joe Verney had nine.
They weren’t able to create any further space between themselves and Coolaroo, however.
The Roos were in complete control against Toowoomba, scoring a big 25.16 (166) to 5.6 (36) victory in which 12 players got on the score-sheet with majors.
Warwick improved its percentage in a big way, coming out 34.29 (233) to 1.1 (7) winners over South Burnett.
Player-coach Ben Heppell kicked 10 goals, to sit just five behind O’Toole in the leading goal-scorer.
Full scoreboard and ladders from the Allied Pickfords Cup and senior women’s competition appears on page 31