UGSFL 2023: Williams claim memorable upset over Katanning to stay in reach of top-two finish

Williams remain in reach of a top-two finish after pulling off an upset 13-point triumph against ladder leaders Katanning Wanderers in Williams on Sunday, snapping their 10-game winning streak in the process. The Wanderers had to contend with a host of injuries and were down multiple players in the second half as the Cats kicked clear to seal a memorable 11.12 (78) to 9.11 (65) triumph in round 14 of the Upper Great Southern Football League. Cats veteran Gerard Medlen finished with a bag of six to help his side claim a ninth win of 2023 and move within a game of the Tigers and Wickepin who are locked on 40 points. The Tigers began strongly in the slippery conditions at Williams with leading goal kicker Laurence Collard marking strongly and benefiting from a 50m penalty. Medlen then kicked his first after a strong mark on a lead. The visitors had their second after Kade Stewart marked, also receiving a 50m penalty after late treatment to put his side narrowly ahead at the break. Tigers ruck-forward Caleb Keley was prominent in the second quarter, with a number of strong contested marks and Collard kicked his second and third. Medlen countered with his second after a big pack mark and then Nathan Pearce snapped truly from the pocket. The Tigers kicked further in front with an early goal to Keley again after a strong mark, but Medlen was having a big influence and he had four majors by three-quarter-time. Stewart and James Laurino were hard workers in the Tigers midfield while Simon Panizza was prolific for the Cats. A late Tyrone Roe snap gave the Tigers some hope going into the last quarter, trailing by 10 points. With both sides tiring, Tigers’ Keley and Stewart kicked their second goals each but Medlen was able to match those with his fifth and sixth goals after strong chest marks and the Cats held on for memorable victory. Medlen’s bag of six was complimented by Nathan Pearce (two goals) while Tigers’ Collard finished with three and Stewart and Keley kicked two each. Panizza had plenty of support from Cameron Smith in defence, Cam Stedman, Addison Dew and Pearce across the four quarters. For the losing side Stewart, Laurino, Toby Quartermaine, Brock Green, Mitchell Banks and Matthew Frisina were among the stand-outs. Meanwhile, Boddington eased to a comfortable 91-point win over Wagin at Matera Oval on Saturday. The Eagles booted 12 goals in a rampant second half with Lewis Gillespie kicking four in the 20.15 (135) to 6.8 (44) victory. Gillespie, Troy Egerton-Warburton, Matthew Almenara, Samuel Cooper, Matthew White and Jordan Hughes were superb. For the Bulldogs, Ayden Cartwright, Jake Putland, Brodie Huills, Daniel Stubbs, Bronson Harry and Thomas Fleay toiled hard in a losing affair. Wickepin kept their hopes of finishing minor premiers alive after a crushing 74-point win over Narrogin at Wickepin on Saturday. Jethro Duffy booted six goals and Luke Crouch bagged five and that duo had great help from Carter Wilson, James Valentine, Brayden Fairhead, Regan Wilson and Wade Angwin in the 18.10 (118) to 6.8 (44) result.

UGSFL 2023: Williams claim memorable upset over Katanning to stay in reach of top-two finish

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