Last-term blitz seals Wolves win

A determined Wickham Wolves continued their strong start to the North Pilbara Football League when they outlasted a plucky Karratha Falcons last Friday.

It was a close three quarters of football at Bulgarra Oval, with two kicks separating the sides for most of the game before a fourth-quarter blitz enabled Wolves to run away with the win.

After a scrappy start the Falcons booted two goals to lead early, but the reigning premiers held their nerve, kicking 2.5 to lead by four points at quarter-time.

Both sides struggled to score in the second term but the Wolves managed to extend their lead to 10 points going into the main break.

The third quarter was a back-and-forth term with the Wolves pushing to extend their lead before a late goal kept the Falcons in touch, trailing by just two goals going into the final term.

The reigning premiers showed their class in the last quarter blasting home seven unanswered goals to storm to victory.

Falcons were unable to respond, with the Wolves shutting down their attack and keeping them scoreless during the onslaught.

The final score was Wolves 13.13 (91) over the Falcons 5.3 (33).

Wolves’ Landon Punch backed up his strong performance in round one, with a five-goal haul, while Tom Higgins booted three goals. Wickham Wolves coach Glenn Higgins said it was touch and go all game.

“Falcons had their moments but we got a few on them and they probably dropped their head a little bit,” he said.

Higgins said he expected Falcons to make it a close game.

“Falcons always come up against us, it doesn’t matter where we are, they always play a good game of footy,” he said.

Higgins was pleased his side were able to stay the course and take the win.

“Our back line was solid all night, and our forward line needs a little work; once we sort our forward structure we’ll be a much better side,” he said.

Meanwhile in the reserves, Falcons dominated the Wolves, shutting down the Wolves attack.

It was a close first half with Falcons wasting opportunities in front of goal to lead by just 12 points at half-time.

Falcons lifted after the break with an all-out assault on the Wolves, blasting 5.4 to soar to victory by 44 points.

The final scores were Falcons 7.10 (52) defeating Wolves 1.2 (8).