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Wanderers skip clear after half-time to notch successive wins in the Upper Great Southern Football League

Andrew PritchardGreat Southern Herald
Wanderers coach Mark Pinney talks to his players.
Camera IconWanderers coach Mark Pinney talks to his players. Credit: Tom Shanahan

Katanning Wanderers continued their bright start to the 2021 Upper Great Southern Football League season with a hard-fought 35-point win over Kukerin-Dumbleyung at Quartermaine Oval on Sunday.

It was an even first half as the Wanderers led by only one goal but after the main break they found multiple avenues forward, kicking eight goals to four in the last half to win 14.11 (95) to 9.6 (60).

With returning 2020 WAFL premiership player Kade Stewart again in top form, winning a host of clearances and kicking three goals, there were plenty of opportunities for Wanderers forward Callum Collard, who booted four goals, and fellow midfielder Tyrone Roe chipped in with two.

The Cougars could only find one sure avenue to goal, through full forward Nathan Phillips who led strongly and kicked accurately to finish with six of their nine goals.

The game was won by Wanderers as ruckmen Khallon Zilm and Caleb Keley provided Stewart, Roe, Reece Nicholson, Tyron Pinney and James Laurino with many opportunities to drive the ball into attack.

The Cougars never gave up and made the Wanderers play their best football.

Centre-half-forward Peter Joyce marked strongly and worked far and wide to provide a target for the Cougars, Justin Joyce won the hard ball and kicked accurately while Josh Harrison spoiled strongly in defence and Byron Bevin provided run in the midfield and forward of the ball.

In the reserves, Katanning Wanderers, with a seven-goal first quarter and a six-goal last quarter, were too strong for Kukerin-Dumbleyung to win 16.15 (111) to 8.5 (53) by 58 points.

The highlight of the game was both full-forwards Hank Yarran and Nathan Ditchburn, who kicked six goals each.

In the under-14s game Katanning Wanderers continued their push for five premierships in a row with a 15.17 (107) to 2.8 (20) victory.

This Sunday the Wanderers take on Wagin at Matera Oval and Kukerin-Dumbleyung host early pace-setters Williams at Stubbs Park.

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