Sport
12 June, 2024
Harding bags eight in milestone game
SIMPSON full-forward Nick Harding has backed up an eight-goal performance the previous weekend with another bag of eight against Birregurra last Saturday to lead the Tigers to a well-earned 106-point victory over Birregurra.
The big win also coincided with Harding’s 200th game for the Tigers, giving the side plenty to celebrate on Saturday night.
Senior coach Daniel Beard said he was pleased with how the team was travelling, now sitting in the top five, and was confident if they continued current form, the Tigers had every chance of playing finals.
“We’re now in the five and that’s where we want to stay,” Beard said.
“We’ve had a month of really good footy and have five wins on the board, now our aim is to get 10 and be in the mix come September.”
Beard praised the efforts of Harding, saying with Jarryd Garth out, Harding worked well with Jono Jennings, providing plenty of opportunities for the side in its forward 50.
“Eight goals and a strong win was great reward for Nick (Harding) on his 200th and gave us plenty to celebrate,” Beard said.
The Tigers will now turn their attention to this weekend’s clash with the sixth-placed Colac Imperials.
With just percentage separating the two sides (with the Imperials in sixth), this weekend’s game will be another important one.
“We beat them (Imperials) by 60 points at home in round two and they’re always strong on their home ground so it’ll be a good one,” Beard said.
“Hopefully we’ll just play our own game, continue our current form, and come home with the points.”
Final scores last Saturday were Simpson 22,18.150 to Birregurra 7.2.44.
Alongside Harding (8), other goal scorers were Nick Duynhoven (4), Jono Jennings and Brock Neal (three each), Louis Duynhoven (2), Matthew Drayton and Sam Rial.
Harding was named in the best along with Thomas Leishman, Mitch Reed, Sam Rial, Matthew Drayton and Lochie Hawkins.
Simpson’s reserves al-so had a great day out, defeating Birregurra by 165-points and currently sit second on the Coloac and District League ladder.
Final scores were Simpson 25.22.172 to Birregurra 1.1.7.
Jordan Riches led the way on the scoreboard, booting six majors for the day, and was well supported by team-mates Kyle Clemmens and Brodie Neale (three each), Harry Flemming, Shaun Guy, Gus Hawkes, Luke Kensit, Cooper Neal and Sam Rix (with two each), and David Weel.
Among the best for the team were Jason Kordupel, Jordan Riches, Matthew Rhode, Jaryd Duynhoven, Jayden Rooke and Harry Fleming.
In the A grade netball match, Simpson (currently sitting fourth) defeated the fifth-placed Birregurra 64-44.
Best for the Tigers were Jessie Harding, Sophie Cronin and Emily Duynhoven.
Other results from the courts were as follows:
B grade – Birregurra defeated Simpson 39-28.
Best for the Tigers: Melissa Drayton, Claudia Richardson and Pippa Jones.
C grade – Birregurra defeated Simpson 37-25. Best: Leesa Seabrook, Rachael Duynhoven and Rebecca Weel.
D grade – Simpson defeated Birregurra 34-32. Best: Carly Newcombe, Kelsey Fratantaro and Lisa Arndell.
17 and under – Simpson defeated Birregurra 35-32. Best: Olivia Rhode, Imogen Eddy and Kaylee Jansen.
15 and under – Birregurra defeated Simpson 44-32. Best: Leah Godfrey, Esha Crole and Ellis Balcombe.
13 and under – Birregurra defeated Simpson 44-32. Best: Milah Crole, Halle Barake and Mia Arndell.
