Under-strength Northampton hold on in thriller as Towns fall to another close loss

The rematch of last year’s semifinal produced the same result in dramatic circumstances as Northampton held off a desperate Towns to win by one point on Saturday.

Last time these sides met Rams broke away from a three quarter arm-wrestle to win by nine points, with three goals in the final quarter.

However this time it was the Bulldogs who finished fast, falling short of a comeback 4.4 (28) to 4.3 (27).

Towns were coming off back-to-back losses by 10 points or less and were desperate to get back on track against a Rams side missing several key players.

They welcomed back Mikenna Schultz for her first game since round one but had no fewer than eight players missing from last week’s side, including the Poletti sisters.

Towns had a big out of their own with Olivia Bidwell not taking to the field..

Much like last year, the first quarter was an arm wrestle, the teams grabbing a goal apiece with the Bulldogs leading by one.

But Northampton broke away early as they held the Bulldogs scoreless in the second, Tayte Pappin proving dangerous at half forward along with Bonnie Standen to be up by six at the half.

They would maintain the advantage as both sides kicked 1.1 in the third to leave the Rams in the driving seat.

But Towns didn’t make it easy as Jarmanda Jones kicked her second of the day and Charli Bidwell proved she was just as damaging as her sister.

They closed to within one point but Rams held firm in a tight finish to join Brigades with 12 points at the top of the ladder.

Pappin was named best on ground as the Towns lost their third straight game by less than two goals. They are four points outside of the top four, with everyone around them having games in hand.

In the other matches, Railways breezed past Mullewa 8.10 (58) to 1.3 (9) to pad their percentage.

Tarnee Tester was again impressive with two goals along with Jamisn and Geneva Johansen, Jaymee Ahearn and Rayanne Ryan.

Chapman Valley had an even bigger win over the struggling Rovers 12.9 (81) to 0.1 (1).

The Demons’ defence managed to hold up for two and a half quarters before the Royals kicked seven goals in the last quarter and half to blow out the margin.

Lexi Chapman led the way with three goals, with Taylah Broadhurst again impressing along with Samantha Williamson, Ebony Wheatland, Nell Eastough and Lisa Cockman.