Rovers beat the Kats in hotly contested win in the wet

It was a tough, contested battle in the wet at Colin Matheson Oval on Saturday as the Port Hedland Rovers defeated the Karratha Kats 10.7 (67) to 7.5 (47) in round eight of the North Pilbara Football League. The Rovers donned pink shorts in support of breast cancer awareness in what has become a regular event when these two sides meet. The first quarter was a low-scoring, scrappy affair with only three goals in total in a rain-affected contest. Karratha Kats were leading 2.2 (14) to 1.3 (9) at the first break. It was a stoppage-heavy match-up and a game where contested possession was king. The home side were strong in the second term, booting three unanswered goals and went into the major break with a 4.5 (29) to 2.4 (16) lead. Rovers’ ruckman Tom Paton delivered a dominant performance around the ground and gave his midfielders first use. Paton contributed in front of goal too with a major in the second quarter. There were nine individual goal kickers for the home side in an even spread up forward. Ashley Mulhall was the leading Rovers’ goal kicker with two majors. Nelson White and Michael Smith were the most potent attacking options for the Kats with two goals each. White and Smith have been consistent in the forward line all season for the Kats and have kicked a combined 42 goals for the year. In the reserves fixture, a head knock occurred late in the fourth term to Rovers’ Noel Taylor. An ambulance was required for Taylor but he was discharged that night and the club has confirmed there was no serious injury. The Kats left with a win for the day as their reserves defeated the Rovers 6.13 (49) to 5.5 (35). Karratha’s Daniel Farmer was the leading goal kicker for the match with two goals.