Ongerup and Kent face up

by ZAPPA

BOXWOOD HILLS continued its dominace in the Ongerup Football Association after beating a spririted Kent by 37 points last Saturday at Ongerup.

In cold, wet and windy conditions Kent kicked with a stiff breeze in the first quarter and opened up a 21 point lead at the break. Boxwood came back hard in the second quarter, however Kent still had plenty of the ball but failed to capitalise on the scoreboard and went in with a four point break at the half.

Trailing has become foreign territory for Boxwood and after the break it started to take control and outscored Kent into the breeze to lead narrowly at thre quarter time. In the last quarter Boxwood took complete control and went on to win 13.11 to Kent 8.10.

Veteran Craig Davis got better as the game went on and was Boxwood's best along with Allan Lynch and Aaron Davis. For Kent Mitch Tuffley put in a best-on-ground performace, while Barry Jolley and Ben Hobley were also good players.

The preliminary final at Gnowangerup in the OFA this Saturday should be a very tight match between Kent and Ongerup.

Kent has been a regular finalist while Ongerup is appearing in only its second final for many years after winning the first semi final .

Kent took the game right up to Boxwood for three quarters last week, but wilted under the constant pressure when they lost a few experienced players to injury.

Ongerup with a week's rest after accounting for Newdegate is a young team that plays a quick brand of football that could test the ageing Kent while Kent's experience is an advantage over Ongeup.

Captain coach Jamie Ramm looked to be carrying an injury last week for Kent and he and Tim Adams who did not finish the game will need to be fit.

Ongerup should be at full strength other than Steve Sarsero who succumbed to a knee injury just before the finals.

Both teams have goal kicking fire power, Kent with Tim Clegg, Clint Dolan and Barry Jolley while Ongerup have mercurial Rob Miniter, Phil Quarternmaine and Jamie Bolton capable of kicking a bag.

Both teams have competent midfields where Shaun Fewson, Ryan Patterson and Mitch Tuffley match up well for Kent against Ongerups Brendan O'Neill, James Wynne and Chris Penny.

The back lines are even where Ben Hobley, Mitch Crosby and Oliver Kiddie have done well for Kent and the Ongerup defence of the Penny brothers, Greg Hyde and Wayne Bolton provide plenty of run off the half back line.

Ongerup have a decided advantage in the ruck with big Lance Hart, where Kent lack a genuine ruckman. If Ongerup can contain Kent's potent forward line and dominate in the ruck it may force its way into the grand final.

Selection Ongerup by three points.

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