Dogged Wolves deny Rovers

Port Hedland Rovers face an uphill climb to play finals after a disappointing loss to Wickham Wolves in the North Pilbara Football League at the weekend.

Poor accuracy in front of goal was all that separated the teams, as the game finished with just 10 points between the two.

The game started slowly with just a goal apiece in the first quarter and Rovers leading by two points.

In the second quarter Wickham ramped up the pressure, scoring the first goal within seconds of the bounce and setting the tone for a hotly contested term.

Returning for Rovers after a prolonged absence, Brad Horsman made his presence known to the Wolves back line, with a big hit on Wickham’s Ayden Saylor before putting the footy between the goalposts seconds later for his first goal.

Apologies were accepted but someone forgot to tell the Wolves water boy — he came in steaming and had to be separated by the umpires. The first half finished with the Rovers trailing by three points.

Whether it was the possibility of moving up to third position or the desire to impress their fans in the final home game of the season, Rovers came out firing in the third quarter and looked the favourite as they headed into the final term four points up.

They say domesticated dogs descended from wolves and it certainly seemed that way in the final quarter with Port being held to just a single point.

Tails between their legs, Rovers were helpless as Wolves kicked 2.3, which was enough to give them the edge at the final siren, 8.6 (54) to Rovers’ 6.8 (44).