Matt Brooks was best for Willaston keeping Daniel Thomas to just one goal.

Shaun Baker shrugged aside some unfounded controversy to be an impact. He started after across half back, but the spent the remainder around the ball.

Others to do well were lone forward Lee Coghill, utility Todd Mackereth and Jason Carter.

Kapunda’s important win

Kapunda’s victory over Nuriootpa was most important in the race to the 2008 finals.

The win gives the Bombers a two game break over Willaston, with just two rounds remainining and a better percentage.

But the Bombers take on fellow finalist Gawler Central this week then have a bye.

After a total of six goals in the opening term, the two white flags failed to be waved at all in the second quarter, as the Tigers kicked four points, while Kapunda could only manage one.

“Rain didn’t ease from the start of the second term to midway through the last term,” Kapunda coach Damien Prouse said.

“It is one of the wettest and worst game conditions I’ve been involved with in this league - there could have been up to 10 mm of rain alone in the second term.

“Naturally this made our four goals to two in the opening term pivotal.

“We kicked another couple in the third quarter going towards the caravan park end.

“Brad Taylor, with skills second-to-none was fantastic early, which set up the win.”

With 2.2 in the third quarter, while the Nuriootpa Tigers only managed a point, the Bombers looked set for victory at the final change.

While Scott Lee’s troops made a late charge, the Bombers held on to win by 16 points.

Brad Taylor was superb in the wet, finishing with three goals in a best-on-ground performance, while Adam Turrell had a great tussle with Nuriootpa giant Matthew Cragg-Sapsford.

Strong and rugged Brad Valentine revelled in the conditions, while the Ryan boys, Corey across half back and left footer Sam both had telling influences.

Returning to the club this year, Brodie Cox continued his fine season with the Bombers.

Chris Gerhardy along with Jarrad Tregenza, captain Shawn Gibson and Billy Nicholls all stood up for Nuriootpa.

Nicholls actually kicked three of his team’s four goals for the match.

Unheralded in a lot of circles, but highly-rated by the coaching staff, Ryan Foulis also produced another consistent game.

While Kapunda have a tough clash against Gawler Central, Nuriootpa could do the Bombers a favour this week, by beating Willaston on home soil.

Angaston too strong

In terms of making finals last weekend’s game between Freeling and Angaston at Freeling oval was meaningless.

However, in terms of commitment to the guernsey it became a game of infinite value.

All or any advantages for either team were removed when heavy rain began falling as the game started.

At first the oval was just slippery, but as the rain continued it became near a bog and the ball had all the characteristics of a brick.

Old timers in the crowd reminisced of their similar experience in years past, however given the recent dry seasons many of these players hadn’t experienced these conditions at senior level.

Any fears that they couldn’t handle it were quickly dispelled as players from both teams gave a good display of hard, supportive wet weather football.

There was the inevitable overuse of handball, and the dropped certaintities and ambitious cross field plays which had coaching staff tearing their hair out, but all this was overshadowed by the commitment of both sets of players.

As you would expect in a game like this where goals were at a premium, lead changes were hard won and scarce, but still when they occurred it had the same thrill as a goal for goal shootout.

The first quarter was the most productive with five goals scored, three of them to Angaston who were kicking with the wind, however the Redlegs two against were both results of determined team football.

Freeling claimed the lead early in the second with the only goal of the stanza a Dale Thatcher effort from a goal square scrimmage.

The third quarter also produced only one goal and that from a boundary line effort from Angaston skipper Matt Doecke, which would have been a great snap on a dry day.

Angaston were three points the better at the last change, but went behind five minutes in when a chain of ‘dry weather’ handballs in close allowed Josh Newberry to goal from point blank range.

Goal line to goal line crowded football followed with even minor scores at a premium until Ashley Clarke broke the nexus with a snap over the shoulder facing away from the goals.

Angaston created a winning safety barrier when Todd Read rose above the pack for an audacious marking attempt given the conditions and then recovered best to goal from the square.

The Panthers finally crept in by 13 points in an epic contest worthy of the centenary of official competition between these two clubs.

Better players for the winners were the in-form defender Brad Hughes, another defender Brandon Kurtz, the leg weary midfield trio of Andrew Pech, Michael Danielle and Ashley Clarke, while utility John Roesler astounded all at times with his clean handling of the football.

For Freeling retiring coach Scott Leal demonstrated his complete professionalism with close to a best-on-ground performance despite attempts to tag him.

His legacies at the Redlegs, Darren Leske, Travis Muster, Lachie Heinrich and Kris Barry were also outstanding.

Centenary celebrations

Tanunda ensured their centenary celebrations last Saturday night weren’t going to be soured, with a convincing home win over South Gawler.

With the Lion’s season on the line, the inaccurate Magpies could have put a nail in their coffin early, with nine scoring shots to three at quarter time.

By the main break, in inclement conditions, the margin had only been dragged out to 16 points.

“It rained from the first bounce to the last quarter,” Tanunda coach Steve Lubcke said.

“In the conditions we always felt we had control of the game.

“South were a good opponent - neither side took a backward step and it was a good old fashioned wet weather game.

“The in-and-under guys like Ryan Bignell, Newberry and Tommy Schiller were great.”

“Justin Ward and Josh West both played well while key marking target Ben Britton, who hails from Tasmania, was a stand out in the conditions.”

Britton was an important target in attack for Tanunda, kicking three goals while the conditions suited 2002 premiership player Ryan Bignell.

Tom Schiller was a potent force, while Ben Newberry and Craig Underwood found the ball with regularity.

The Lions only kicked one goal in the second half, and were kept under the pump by a frugal defence marshalled by captain Karl Martin.

Big man Will Grosser won the hit outs 53 to 31, giving the smaller players the first opportunity around the stoppages.

Former West Adelaide footballers, hard running midfielder Aaron Bayliss and ruckman Matthew Lutze were South Gawler’s best, followed by former captain Andrew Bevis and his younger brother, ball magnet Aaron.

Bayliss had some claim to ‘best on ground’ honours after his efforts.

Brenton Craig and Craig Fowler were stoic in defence.

Indigenous wingman Anthony Johnson kicked two of the Lions’ three goals, while Bayliss was their other goal scorer, showing the stranglehold the Magpies had on the South forwards in conditions which suited defenders.

Next week is the block buster first versus second clash at Williamstown Oval, where the Magpies take on the Bulldogs.

South play their penultimate game of the season against Freeling at Eldred Riggs Reserve.

Local Scoreboard

Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association

Played August 9.

A-Grade

Tanunda 2.6 4.8 6.8 10.9(69)

South Gawler 1.2 2.2 3.4 3.4(22)

Best players: Tan - B Britton, K Martin, R Bignell, T Schiller, B Newberry, C Underwood. Sth - A Bayliss, M Lutze, Andrew Bevis, Aaron Bevis, B Craig, C Fowler.

Goal: Tan - B Britton 3, L Wells, T Schiller 2, S Agars, R Bignell, M Underwood 1 ea. Ang - A Johnson 2, Aaron Bayliss 1.

Angaston 3.2 3.4 4.6 6.11(47)

Freeling 2.1 4.3 4.3 5.4(34)

Best players: Ang - B Hughes, M Danielle, B Kurtz, A Pech, A Clarke, J Roesler. Fre - J Newberry, D Leske, K Barry, T Muster, N Warnest, L Heinrich.

Goals: Ang - A Pech 2, A Clarke, M Doecke, M Donnelly, T Read 1 ea. Fre - T Muster, R Thatcher, L English, L Heinrich, P Fowden 1 ea.

Barossa Dist. 3.4 7.6 12.8 15.14(104)

Willaston 3.1 5.2 7.2 9.12(66)

Best players: Bar - M Stelzer, R Fromm, S Wundersitz, L Kent, H Commane, B James. Wil - M Brooks, T Mackereth, L Coghill, J Harvey, J Carter, S Baker.

Goals: Bar - H Commane 4, B James, A Spencer 3 ea, D Thomas, R Christie, R Fromm, M Taylor, J Amber 1 ea.Wil - L Coghill 3, M Cotton, S Baker 2 ea, C Harding, C McLean 1 ea.

Kapunda 4.3 4.4 6.6 7.6(48)

Nuriootpa 2.1 2.5 2.6 4.8(32)

Best players: Kap - B Taylor, A Turrell, B Valentine, B Cox, C Ryan, S Ryan. Nur - J Gerhardy, S Gibson, B Nichols, R Foulis, J Tregenza, M Cragg-Sapsford.

Goals: Kap - B Taylor 3, B Cox, Adam Turrell, Andrew Turrell, D Keane 1 ea. Nuri - B Nicholls 3, S Matson 1.

B-Grade

Tanunda 4.0 8.2 13.6 15.8(98)

South Gawler 2.0 3.0 3.0 3.1(19)

Best players: Tan - J Oliver, T Stewart, D Waye, S Sscwarz, K Falkenberg, C Samain. Sth - D McGree, S Montgomerie, S Bunn, M Smethurst, R Vermeeren, K Houston

Goals: Tan - K Falkenberg 4, R Smart, A Ey, L Underwood 2, S Morrison, T Stewart, T Murch, S Dutschke, G Gann 1. Sth - S O’Donghue, M Bevis, M Smethurst 1 ea.

Angaston 3.1 6.4 9.7 13.8(86)

Freeling 1.2 2.2 4.3 4.6(30)

Best players: Bar - A Hili, C Hadden, M Pech, B Hemm, B Brook, J Plush. Fre - S Selleck, P Kerin, D Coomber, T Pilichiewicz, A Meridith, P Leske.

Goals: Ang - J Plush 3, B Byster, C Doecke, B Hemm 2, T Talbot, A Brook 1 ea. Sth - A Selleck, T Carmichael, B Stibbs, L McKenzie 1 ea.

Barossa Dist 3.5 7.7 19.7 12.11(83)

Willaston 0.1 1.1 3.1 3.1(19)

Best players: Bar - D Goodfellow, J Owen, S Harris, D Handtke, P Jericho, K Jericho, L Butler.Wil - L Bennie, S Schugman, T Rozman, R Boers, B Nottle, D Jones.

Goals: Bar - S Vanstone, K Jericho, D Goodfellow 2 ea, T Wigzell, L Blucher, S Wills, J Owen, M Laurie, P Jericho 1 ea. Wil - D Jones, G Laubcsh, R Smith 1 ea.

Nuriootpa 3.5 6.5 10.6 10.9(69)

Kapunda 1.0 5.0 5.2 6.5(41)

Best players: Nur - B Lydeamore, T Francis, J Fullgrabe, N Koch, R Modistach, L Sich. Kap - K Ryan, K Chappell, N Gregor, P Tralaggan, D Prior, M Prior.

Goals: Nur - R Modistach 3, L Smith, B Thiele, N Koch, C Ware, B Noack, T Francis, B Lydeamore 1ea.

Kap - R Creber 2, D Prior, P Klemm, D White, A Hampel 1 ea.

Senior colts

Tanunda 0.2 4.2 5.6 6.6(42)

South Gawler 2.5 3.6 2.9 3.12(30)

Best players: Tan - J Zimmermann, S Tscharke, J Justin, S Dalby, B Schiller, E Neinhous. Sth - J Vermeeren, S Foster, A Bain, A Parsons.

Goals: Tan - L Hamra 2, J Justin, L Agars, B Sschiller, C Gattemayr 1 ea. Sth - R Coogan, T Hopgood, R Vermeeren 1 ea.

Freeling 3.5 11.7 13.11 15.17(107)

Angaston 1.0 1.0 2.1 4.1(25)

Best players: Fre - R McDonald, A Cocks, M Doherty, C Schuster, B Copperwheat, A McCard. Ang - T Talbot, A Adams, C Davey, D McHendrie, A Wardlaw, M Ransom.

Goals: Fre - A Cocks 4, M Humble, T Ruediger 3, T Barnes 2, L Schuster, D Drummond, M Doherty 1 ea. Ang - L Baker, T Adler, M Ransom, D Jones.

Barossa Dist 1.1 2.2 5.3 7.3(45)

Willaston 2.2 4.5 5.6 6.9(45)

Best players: Bar - B Odriscoll, A McAlpine, J Hanley, N Emes, M Linn, J Hite. Wil - S Haydon, A Cahill, D Fox, S Thomas, J Palmer, Z Cavanagh.

Goals: Wil - J Palmer, R Boswell, S Haydon, H McLean, D Jones, J Williams 1 ea.

Bar - M Linn 3, M van Dommelle, L Smith, T Lipschinski, N Emes 1 ea.

Nuriootpa 3.1 9.4 12.7 14.12(96)

Kapunda 3.1 5.2 10.2 11.4(70)

Best players: Nur - L Smith, L Heinrich, A Kurtz, A Modistach, S Hausler, J Matthews. Kap - L Norman, M Ruppelt, D Ryan, C Richter, J Cobbledick, L Foster.

Goals: Kap - L Norman 4, L Foster, M Ruppelt 2 ea, S Clancy, D Ryan, A May 1 ea.

Nur - A Kurtz 4, L Heinrich 3, R Modistach, L Jaunay 2 ea, S Hausler, S McDermott 1.

Junior colts

South Gawler 2.5 5.6 6.8 7.11(53)

Tanunda 0.0 1.0 2.2 2.2(14)

Best players: Sth - N Bartsch, J Chapman, J Farrell, A Adams, M Demeo, B Barker. Tan - K Grocke, J Mitchell, J Marshall, L Kemp, L Gann.

Goal: Sth - B Barker, D Musolino, R Davies 2 ea, N Bartsch 1. Tan - J Mitchell, J Heidrich 1 ea.

Freeling 2.1 3.1 5.1 7.4(46)

Angaston 0.0 1.1 1.2 1.4(10)

Best players: Fre - J Ashenden, A Graham, K Wright, J Holloway, T Doherty, J Robinson. Ang - J Wilson, S Daken, A Linke, W Falland, R Barratt, A Griscti.

Goals: Fre - J Holloway, J Robinson, J Ashenden 2 ea, J Hirst 1. Ang - A Linke 1.

Barossa Dist. 7.8 12.10 15.12 21.18(144)

Willaston 0.0 0.0 1.0 1.0(6)

Best players: Bar - K Perdon, B Cummings, D Curtis, J Madgen, E Carpenter, T Fryar. Wil - L Trenowden, T Maple, A Jones, B Clinton, B May, T Irlam.

Goals: Wil - L Trenowden.

J Perdon 4, B Traynor, J Madgen, A Thwaites, J Traynor 3 ea, B Cummings 2, D Curtis, E Carpenter, H Traynor 1 ea.

Nuriootpa 3.2 5.5 9.11 13.13(91)

Kapunda 0.1 0.2 1.2 1.3(9)

Best players: Nur - D O’Neil, L Jaunay, T Laverty, J Matthews, B Hollitt, L Booth-Naylor. Kap - K Johnson, Tom McKinnon, C Rousel, A Wilson, S Zelenko.

Goals: Nur - C Shaw, J Matthews 4 ea, B Hollitt, A Lange, S Lee, T Laverty, K Schuplius 1 ea. Kap - A Wilson.