THE WANDERERS’ tough NTFLW season continued on the weekend, going down to a Nighcliff side who picked up a very handy 61 point win.

It did not even take a minute into the first quarter for the Tigers to get on the board, with Teagan McWilliam slotting through their first major after only 30 seconds.

The Wanderers struggled to even hold onto possession in the opening exchanges and when Megan Johnson booted Nightcliff’s second, the Tigers were starting to set a precedent early. Johnson even copped a blood nose for her troubles, but that was not going to stop her or the Tigers putting the result to bed as quickly as possible.

The ball lived in the Tigers’ forward 50 line for much of the quarter, as all the Wanderers’ forwards saw of the ball was two shallow and one deep inside 50.

Eliza Morrison was lively early for the Tigers, setting up plenty of forward attacks, and things could have been much worse for the Wanderers without the defensive efforts of Tedisha Bush.

Matisse Hunter ensured Nightcliff had a third on the board before quarter time, and at the first change Nightcliff’s lead was 21 points.

The second term saw Wanderers with the quick centre clearance and shot at goal, but unfortunately only managed a behind, unlike Nightcliff’s goal with the subsequent play in the previous quarter.

In a complete reversal to the first quarter, the Wanderers were able to lock the ball inside their forward 50 for almost the full first five minutes of the quarter, but once the Tigers did eventually get it into their 50 they certainly made the Wanderers pay, with Johnson slotting through her second to extend the margin out to 25 points.

Although it took them a while to get another goal on the board, which did eventually come via Hunter, Nightcliff continued to dominate possession. They could have had a goal on the board sooner in the quarter, but were a little inaccurate in front of goal.

Hunter’s goal in the shadows of half time saw the Tigers’ lead sit at 34 points.

Despite having plenty of the ball the Wanderers could not convert and find successful avenues to goal.

They were unable to put any more score on the board as their opponents ultimately ran away with the match.

Hunter, McWilliam, Courtney Bateman and Bree Richards all got on the board for Nightcliff in the second half as the Tigers went on to win by over ten goals.

In other results:

• In the clash of the top two, PINT came away with a comfortable win over the Waratahs, winning by 40 points.

PINT held a small early lead and kept the ‘Tahs scoreless in the opening term.

The margin remained the same at half time, before PINT kicked away in the third term and never looked back.

Jasmyn Hewett, Reni Hicks and Amy Chittick all starred for PINT, while Jena Daniel, Jordan Mifsud and Mia Haas were all among Waratah’s best in the loss.

Darwin caused a bit of an upset, defeating St Mary’s by 50 points.

The Buffettes raced out to a four goal to one lead at the main break, and by half time the margin haf stretched out to about five goals.

Things kept going up from there for the Buffettes as scoring dried up for St Mary’s.

The Buffettes had nine different goal kickers, including Delsey Campbell and Nicole Schmitt who both kicked two majors.

Meanwhile for St Mary’s, Chinette Grant, Michelle Friel and Danielle Ponter were all among the best for the Saints.

• Palmerston further entrenched themselves in finals contention with a handy win over the Southern Districts.

A three goal to scoreless first quarter was a sign which way the game was heading, and despite a mighty fightback from the Districts in the last term, it was not enough as the Magpies won by 13 points.

Tatyana Perry was on fire in front of the sticks for the Magpies, while up the other end Sophie Berry countered that with three of her own for Southern Districts.

Jessica Fatnowna and Bonnie McDougall starred for the victors, while Lily Harden and Ashlee Walsh were among the best for the Districts in another tough afternoon at the office.

NTFL Women’s Round 13 Results

Palmerston Magpies (7.5.47) defeated Southern Districts (5.4.34)

Nightcliff Tigers (9.9.63) defeated Wanderers (0.2.2)

PINT (8.12.60) defeated Waratah (3.2.20)

Darwin Buffaloes (11.6.72) defeated St Mary’s (3.4.22)