Lake Grace-Pingrup were given a mighty battle by Boxwood Hill but proved they will be the main challengers to runaway ladder leaders Jerramungup after edging home in a low-scoring Ongerup Football Association contest on Saturday.
In the clash of the Bombers, Lake Grace-Pingrup secured victory by 13 points, despite a scoreless final quarter in which neither side could add to their tally. They won 7.7 (49) to 5.6 (36), doing their winning work in the first half when they converted six majors to build a 30-point lead by the major break.
The Boxwood Hill resurgence came in the third quarter when they booted four majors to trail by just 13 points with a quarter to go.
However, despite sterling performances by Hayden Richter, Corey Nelson and George Bungey they were held at bay in the final stanza.
Boxwood Hill, who stunned Gnowangerup last week, trail the third-placed Bulldogs by four points going into the final round of fixtures.
Meanwhile, goal-kicking machine Hayden Parker is on track to pass the magic 100 mark after a 12-goal haul against Newdegate at the Jerramungup oval on Saturday took him to 88 for the season so far.
Flag favourites Jerramungup put Newdegate to the sword to win by 132 points, with Parker booting half of their 24-goal total.
Jedd Siviour was next best for the Eagles with four as the minor premiers ran riot in the second half to close out the win 24.19 (163) to 4.7 (31).
The Lions managed two behinds in a first quarter dominated by the home side who bagged four majors and six behinds to stamp their authority on the contest from the outset.
They were 59 points ahead by half-time but let rip after the interval with an eight-goal quarter, followed by a final term which brought another seven.
The Lions’ best period was the last term where they nabbed a pair of majors.
Their goal kickers were Koby Harris, Ryan Hams, Dwight Ness and Kieran Theseira.
Hams and Harris were also battlers alongside Riley Bridger and Dean Rintoul who again gave their all in what has been a difficult season.
Jayden Brooks and Archibald Mason scored two majors apiece for the Eagles for whom Tate Barrett, Ben Bishop and Jack Heaslip were star contributors alongside the main man Parker.
The final round of competition before the finals series pits Gnowangerup at home to Lake Grace-Pingrup and Boxwood Hill against Jerramungup.
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