Last gasp win over the Darwin Buffettes has Waratah in a prime position to defend their crown

WARATAH jumped two games clear in the race for the Women’s Premier League minor premiership when they held off a persistent Darwin Buffettes at TIO Stadium

Gemma Cusack was Waratah’s best player in their win over the Buffettes. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

WARATAH jumped two games clear in the race for the Women’s Premier League minor premiership when they held off a persistent Darwin Buffettes at TIO Stadium.

The reigning premier had to call on all of its skill and courage before emerging as one-point winners in the match of the season to date.

Tahs’ 10-point lead at quarter time when they booted an inaccurate 1.5 to a point was the biggest lead of the match.

The Buffettes booted two goals to one in a frantic last quarter, but Tahs’ 1.4 was enough for them to hold on to a 4.10 (34) to 5.3 (33) win.

Their coach Trudie Hopgood said both sides had thrown themselves into what had been a tight, physical contest.

“We had to work hard, there was never a lot between us as can be seen in the scores,’’ she said. “Gemma (Cusack) was very good for us at centre-half forward and Jo Kolodziej in the ruck did a great job, along with Izzy (Isabella Rapson-Staropoli) down back.’’

Nightcliff caused the upset of the round when it beat fifth-placed Southern Districts by two points at Norbuilt Oval.

A late goal by Jackie Anyon-Smith won the game for the Tigers after a last quarter fightback by the Crocodiles looked set to steal a win.

Nightcliff coach Shannon Millar admitted to a big dose of nerves in the dying minutes following Anyon-Smith’s goal.

”The girls have been training hard and it showed towards the end of the game when we were pushed,’’ she said.”We’re level on points with PINT, but behind on percentage, that’s something we have to work on.’’

PINT steamrolled league rookies the Big River Hawks by 159 points on TIO No.2, boosting their percentage to 148 points in the process.

Gold Coast Suns bound Jasmyn Hewitt was in pristine form for the Queenants in a ruck roving role, while Casey Morris booted seven goals.

Palmerston stayed third with a comprehensive 109-point over St Mary’s, Arthurina Moreen’s four goals and the class of Billie Byers guiding the Magpies to 16.14 (110) to 0.1 (1) win.

Wanderers continued their rise after a couple of seasons in the doldrums with a three-goal win over Tracy Village in yesterday’s game at Tracy Village.