Tiwi Bombers blast their way into the Premier League top three with a quiet show of class

IN near perfect conditions at Tracy Village Oval, the Tiwi Bombers proved too slick by running out 59-point winners over a gutsy Waratah

Austin Wonaeamirri was in goalkicking form at Tracy Village Oval. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

IN near perfect conditions at Tracy Village Oval, the Tiwi Bombers proved too slick by running out 59-point winners over Waratah.

And with five minor rounds remaining, the victory pretty much ensures Tiwi are finals bound.

The game opened in a frenzy after the opening goal to Tahs through Kim

Kantilla, but the Bombers asserted authority and booted the next five with Harley

Puruntatameri (three) and Austin Wonaeamirri (two) doing all the damage.

To their credit, Waratah bounced back and kicked the next four majors to get

back in touch at the first break.

The red-and-white team held all the aces early in the second term but could not

convert and against the run of play, Bomber forward Thomas Bell marked in

the square and kicked truly.

Tahs were finally rewarded for effort when Kantilla drilled through his second for the match, but late goals to Puruntatameri and Simon Munkara delivered the Tiwis a 21-point lead at the long break.

In the third stanza, consistent Waratah forward Dylan Collis was on fire and

lifted his side. When Kantilla ran in a brilliant individual goal they looked in

winning form.

But three late goals to Bomber forward Thomas Bell put his team

back in control.

Eight goals to the islanders in the final quarter displayed a good degree of

match fitness with finals approaching.

First-half Bomber goal maestro Harley Puruntatameri was excited to be among

the goal scorers but was also pleased about the way his team went about the

game.

“Five goals is the second most I’ve kicked in a NTFL game – the most was six

when I was playing with Waratah a few years ago,” said Puruntatameri.

“The coaches were happy with my first-half but I didn’t get any more after half-

time because they moved me to midfield to work on my defensive game.

“Anyway it was a good team effort today with everyone making a

contribution.”