OFA 2024: Gnowangerup hold out against Boxwood Hill and Jerramungup break 38-game drought with massive haul

A pumped-up Gnowangerup powered through an intense four quarters to secure a six-point win over Boxwood Hill in the second round of the Ongerup Football Association on Saturday. It was touch and go as the Bulldogs battled the Bombers but they held out in the final to land the win despite not kicking a major in the closer. A brilliant first quarter and a strong third patched together victory from two terms that saw Gnowangerup add just three points to the board while a hungry Boxwood fought back hard after an opener that saw them manage 1.1 (7) in response to the Bulldogs’ 5.1 (31). Jack Davis (five goals) was formidable for the visitors, while Connor Smallwood (four) worked hard for the Dogs. Despite the discrepancy, the Bombers were solid in the first but Gnowangerup’s ability to get the ball down the wing and inside 50 negated the Hill’s effort in the middle. A focused Boxwood emerged in the second, however, and the visitor’s midfield and backs restricted Gnowangerup to two points while Davis ran amok. Stoppages were the bane of the Bulldogs, who relied on momentum to get the ball down to Smallwood and Lewis Davis (two goals), but a stand-out third term saw them extend their 11-point lead to a valuable 19. Sweat ran in the fourth and the Bomber’s midfield helped feed another two majors through the middle posts while Gnowangerup failed to capitalise. But the final siren sounded defeat for the Bombers as the battle-worn Bulldogs landed the win 10.6 (66) to 9.6 (60). Best for the Dogs were Smallwood, Brandon Wise, Ben Bungey (one goal) and vice-captain Lewis Davis (two). George Bungey (two goals) and vice-captain Hayden Richter (two) were solid in support of a dazzling Davis for the Bombers. In the other OFA game, Jerramungup landed a drought-breaking thumper over last year’s premiers Newdegate in a long-hoped-for win. The Eagles (17.14) romped home to a 51-point win over Newdegate (9.11) after leading at every break. It’s been a long time between drinks for Jerramungup, who recorded their last win 1029 days ago in round 9, 2021. During that period the Eagles have been beaten by more than 100 points on 12 occasions but on Saturday a six-goal haul from Caleb Keley and strong form around the field saw the club’s head rise again. Flynn Spark, Alex Baum, Riley Holden (three goals) and Aaron Winters were instrumental for Jerramungup, alongside club stalwart Jayden Brooks who kicked two goals.