Dampier Sharks continue their strong form with a 98-point win over the Karratha Falcons in NPFL round eight

Reigning premiers the Dampier Sharks season resurgence continues after a 98-point drubbing of the Karratha Falcons moved the club one game clear on top of the ladder. The North Pilbara Football League round eight clash took place at Windy Ridge Oval on June 17 with the Sharks taking control of the game early with a four-goal blitz to set up the game. Despite a fightback from the Falcons, the Sharks were able to run away with the game and lead by 29 points at the first break. Another four goals in the second quarter extended Dampier’s lead to an already imposing 45 points at half time. A nine-goal haul in the third term took away any hope of a Falcon’s fightback with the Sharks running out to a 90-point lead at the final break before a back-and-forth fourth quarter. In the end the Dampier Sharks 24.19 (163) defeated the Karratha Falcons 10.5 (65). Dampier had 10 individual goal kickers for the game, with Aaron Victor and Jack Crockin the stand-outs with four goals apiece, meanwhile the Falcons top scorer was Riese Wilkey with three goals. The victory keeps the Dampier Sharks on top of the ladder, four points clear of the Karratha Kats while the Falcons remain in fourth place. In the other games of the round, the Karratha Kats took on the South Hedland Swans at Kevin Scott Oval in South Hedland. The Kats proved to be a class above the home side, leading by 15 points at half time. The Swans fought back in the third quarter, cutting the lead to just two goals at the final break. The damage was done though, with the Kats able to rally in the final quarter and run away with a six-goal victory. The final score was the Karratha Kats 15.5 (95) defeating the South Hedland Swans 8.11 (59). Lee Roser (four goals), Charlie Fountain (three goals) and Shannon Nelson (three goals) were the stand-outs for the Kats while Aneaus Brierly booted three goals for the Swans. In the final game of the round, a Tom Higgins masterclass powered the Wickham Wolves to a mammoth 106-point victory over the struggling Port Hedland Rovers. Higgins booted a massive nine goals as the Wolves powered their way past the Rovers to defeat the side 21.14 (140) to 5.4 (34). The game remained relatively close with Wickham holding a 35-point lead at the final break before an 11-goal fourth quarter gave Wickham a percentage boosting result. Round nine will kick off on June 25.