Chapman Valley see off Towns challenge as Railways crush Mullewa to secure minor premiership

The split round saw just two games over the weekend kicking off with Chapman Valley taking on Towns as both sides looked to finish the 2022 season on a high.

It was the Royals who fought their way to victory with a 10.9 (69) to 5.2 (32) win at Country Builders Stadium.

Despite their ladder positions and recent form, previous meetings between the two sides had been close with the last decided by just 10 points.

It was a tight start between the two sides as rain had made the ground slippery and blustery winds meant long kicks were much of an option for either side.

The Royals found the goals first before Towns grabbed one back but it would be the only score for the Bulldogs in the opening quarter.

The Royals kicked the next three straight goals to take a 21-point lead into quarter-time.

Jay O’Brien, Dylan Williamson and Paul Sorenson all got majors early as Towns were struggling to penetrate their attacking 50.

However, the Bulldogs managed to turn it around after the break as most of the second quarter was played in their front half.

Small forward Timothy George was looking dangerous, often finding himself in space and able to burn a few Valley defenders with pace.

The Royals were holding on but eventually Towns forced their way through to kick three goals in quick succession.

Stuart Gaby, Callum Marquis and George all found the goals to reduce the margin to five points at the half as the Royals were kept to just three behinds.

The third quarter was a tough contested battle with the Royals adding the only major of the term, as both sides applied high tackle pressure, to lead by 13 going into the final quarter.

With just a quarter left for both teams this season the game was still there to be won for either side but it was the Royals who made sure they would get to sing the song to close out 2022.

O’Brien kicked a major in the opening minutes before Sam Solomon had two in quick succession before Rhys Eversdon got one to all but end the contest.

Drew Forrester got one back for Towns but it was nothing more than a consolation as Royals finished 10.9 (69) to 5.2 (32) winners.

It caps off a brilliant second half of the season for Royals who won six out of their last eight games to almost steal themselves a finals spot but ultimately could not recover from their poor early record.

In the Sunday game Railways were looking to secure the minor premiership in front of their home crowd as they took on Mullewa.

They did so in emphatic fashion as Railways ran out convincing winners in a one-sided match 27.15 (177) to 4.2 (26).

After a well contested opening quarter the Blues put the game to bed at half time with a 10-goal to one-second term to lead by 68 points at the main break.

Alex Newton kicked seven while Jesse Adamini and Elliot Delaney both grabbed six as Drew Tunbridge celebrated his 100th game with a goal in one of the biggest blowouts of the season.

The Blues have now finished their regular season with a likely clash against Brigades looming in the semi-final while Mullewa will hope for a better showing in their final game against Rovers next Saturday.