Dandaragan take out thriller under lights as Cervantes officially secure minor premiership

It could have hardly been a more fitting occasion for the Central Midlands Coastal League’s first-ever clash under lights as Jurien Bay hosted Dandaragan on Saturday.

After several years rooted at the bottom of the table, the Bulldogs were deserving of a prime-time slot as they battled the Saints for second place and a double chance in finals.

When these sides last faced each other. the Bulldogs demolished the Saints by 62 points but it was Dandaragan who got the job done under lights in a thrilling 13.11 (89) to 11.13 (79) victory.

With both teams locked on 28 points, a win here would effectively seal second place and a double chance in the finals in what was the penultimate round.

There was nothing to separate the two sides in the opening term as captain Rhys Waters returned from a strong performance in the WA country team to lead the Bulldogs while Angus Laurisson had the answers for the Saints.

On their home ground but in the unfamiliar twilight, the Bulldogs got ahead off the back of Lewis Henry and Waters, who were posing problems for the Saints’ defence.

But a five-goal third-quarter burst spearheaded by Matthew Johnson swung the match back in the Saints’ favour as they took a three-goal lead into the final quarter.

The last quarter was a shootout and though the Bulldogs managed eight scoring shots to five, 4.4 in the final term was not a good enough return as the Saints secured second place in the 10-point victory.

Johnson was a standout with three goals, with multiples to Jakeb Holland, Angus Laurisson and Hamish Rogers.

In the other game at Cervantes, the Tiger Sharks demolished the Lancelin Pirates in a 16.19 (115) to 2.13 (25) trouncing.

Cervantes were up by 26 points at quarter-time but it could have been more if not for some inaccuracy in front of the sticks.

But it mattered little as the Pirates were kept goalless after half-time as the Tiger Sharks secured another minor premiership.

Jacob Green was best afield and finished with five goals, all kicked in the first half, with Isaac Devitt-Boyud and James Venturini finishing with three each.

Lancelin did get revenge in netball with a 46-37 win while Jurien Bay maintained their undefeated record with a thrilling 41-38 triumph over Dandaragan.

The Saints also took out the hockey clash with a 3-1 win over the Bulldogs thanks to goals from Brooke Kenny, Hayley Curtain and Sophie Cashmore.