THE top two teams in the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) Women’s Premier League asserted their dominance on the competition in Round 15 with wins over rivals. In other matches, Tracy Village spoiled a potential upset Nightcliff win, however St Marys got the chocolates against the higher fancied Darwin Buffettes.

WARATAH 2.1 | 5.5 | 10.6 | 17.7 (109)
WANDERERS 2.1 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 3.1 (19)

GOALS: 

Waratah: L. O’Shea 6, B. Martin 3, K. Piscioneri 3, A. Chittick 2, J. Kolodziej, A. Love, M. Gault.
Wanderers: Not supplied.

BEST:

Waratah: L. O’Shea, A. Stanley, T. O”Hehir, S. Nalder, R. Pryer
Wanderers: Not supplied.

Premiership favourites, Waratah overcame a plucky Wanderers side early to run away with the contest in the second half and win by 15 goals. The home team piled on 12 goals to zero after the main break, after both sides had been level at quarter time. A best on ground performance from Lauren O’Shea saw the star boot six goals, ably assisted by Breanna Martin and Kelsey Piscioneri with three majors each. Alicia Stanley and Tarryn O’Hehir were named among Waratah’s best players in the storming win as they remain two points clear of second placed Palmerston Magpies.

NIGHTCLIFF 2.1 | 3.2 | 5.4 | 5.4 (34)
TRACY VILLAGE 1.1 | 2.5 | 4.6 | 7.7 (49)

GOALS:

Nightcliff: S. Miskin-Ripia 2, D. Wiseman, E. Wolsey, J. Blecher.
Tracy Village: K. Irvine 3, K. Pukeroa 2, M. McCartney 2.

BEST:

Nightcliff: J. Blecher, H. Turnbull, E. Wolsey, J. Puautjimi
Tracy Village: K. Lansdown, K. Irvine, Z. Clarke, M. McCartney, B. McDougall, H. Roll

Tracy Village were challenged by cellar dwellers, Nightcliff but ultimately got the job done by 15 points. Leading at each break, the Tigers looked likely to break through for their second win of the season, but Tracy Village booted three goals to zero in the last quarter. Melissa McCartney and Karli Pukeroa both booted two goals for the visitors, but the work of Kristy Irvine with three majors and named among the best was instrumental in the win. Kiera Lansdown and Zhoe Clarke were also impressive, while Jess Blecher and Hannah Turnbull were the best for the losing side. Shantel Miskin-Ripia was the only multiple goalkicker for the Tigers, but they created more chances than in previous weeks.

ST MARYS 1.1 | 4.2 | 5.2 | 7.2 (44)
DARWIN BUFFETTES 2.4 | 2.7 | 3.10 | 4.11 (35)

GOALS:

St Marys: L. Dunn 4, Y. Roe, N. Long, K. Dann.
Darwin: C. Whan 2, K. Duggan, B. Stokes.

BEST:

St Marys: Not supplied.
Darwin: Not supplied.

St Marys kept their very slim finals hopes alive with a victory over fourth-placed Darwin Buffettes. The Saints trailed at the first break, but turned it on after half-time to boot six goals to two as the Buffettes squandered multiple opportunities, with four goals on the board from 15 scoring shots. Laelia Dunn was the difference for the Saints with four majors, while Celia Whan booted two goals for the losing side. The Buffettes will be keen to bounce back from the loss with finals still very much on the agenda.

PALMERSTON MAGPIES 1.1 | 4.2 | 5.3 | 6.3 (39)
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 0.3 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 1.5 (11)

GOALS:

Palmerston: S. Bush 2, J. Stassi, M. Brown, N. Medbury, J. Brock.
Southern Districts: T. Holtze.

BEST:

Palmerston: G. Garling, B. Byers, J. Misob, S. Bush, F. Puruntatameri
Southern Districts: Not supplied.

Second placed Palmerston Magpies showed their class with a comprehensive low-scoring win over Southern Districts on Monday. The Magpies booted six goals to one, having just three more scoring shots but making their possession inside 50 count. The Crocs did not kick a goal until the third term, with Tahlia Holtze finally slotting a major which would be their only goal of the game. Shenaida Bush was the only multiple goalkicker on the ground, while Georgina Garling and Billie Byers were named among the Magpies’ best.