FINAL  FOUR  SET

With the Three Springs Bombers convincing 50-point win over the Dongara Eagles, the final four of the Cunninghams Premiership Ladder in the North Midlands is set for the 2003 season. The interest is in what order, as every team is capable of gaining top spot during the next three weeks. Carnamah/Perenjori Roo's regained top spot this week after a convincing win over the undermanned Morawa Tigers.

With a dominant first quarter the Mingenew Bulldogs set up their 21 point victory over the Coorow Latham Magpies in Coorow in a very good game of Country football. The Magpies created early chances in the first quarter but managed only behinds.  Then with scintillating football the Bulldogs responded and kicked six unanswered goals.  The midfield team of Murray Thomas, Mike Kerr and Josh Starrick set up many opportunities for the Bulldogs forwards.  Wes Swift kicked three goals in the quarter and Karl Criddle took telling marks in the forward fifty. The Bulldogs continued early in the second quarter kicking early goals through Criddle, Brett Michael and Jeremy Wasley.  However the Magpies settled and responded.  Wes Morcombe and Mal Just moved to the centre and began to win the ball.  Gavin Kerr took telling marks after being shifted to Centre Half Forward and kicked two goals for the term.  Although the Magpies outscored the Bulldogs for the term, at half time the Bulldogs still controlled the game and led by 29 points. The third quarter was easily the best of the game and featured tough unforgiving football.  The Magpie defence tightened with Wade Stokes controlling the dangerous Wasley and Richard Bothe solid at full back.  Indeed the ball often moved between the two defences as Brett Michael and Mick Welch were solid for the Bulldogs and Dean Green was effective as a sweeping midfielder.  The Magpies managed goals to Gavin Kerr and Gary Sherry to reduce the margin to just 20 points at three quarter time. Having the game played at a quick pace all day, players from both teams began to feel the pressure in the last quarter.  The Magpies kicked the first girl to reduce the margin to just 13 points, but the Bulldogs responded and replied through Justin Bagley.  Late in the game the Magpies missed vital chances to reduce the margin, allowing the Bulldogs to secure victory.

In other news from the North Midlands, Mingenew announced this week that their oval was now in acceptable condition to host football. Therefore, the first game will be Mingenew versus Morawa at Mingenew on Sunday 3^rd August 2003.