NIGHTCLIFF has scraped past Palmerston in a tense NTFL Women’s Premier League fixture on Saturday evening, strengthening its hold on the minor premiership. The Tigers were pushed all the way in their 11-point victory against the sixth-placed Magpies, who remain a win outside the top five. Meanwhile, Nightcliff’s undefeated season rolls on.

>> SCROLL for the results, ladder and fixture

Fresh off the bye, Nightcliff established an even two-goal lead at quarter time, but was reined back to within just two points at the main break. The Tigers rebuilt their buffer to five points at the final break despite Palmerston taking a momentary lead in term three, and then held firm with the only goal of the fourth quarter to salute by 11 points.

Nightcliff had six individual goalkickers in the win, while Palmerston was spearheaded by three majors from Brianna Burt. Of Nightcliff’s scorers, Kierra Zerafa, Jasmine Ware, and Natasha Tile were also among the bests, along with emerging youngster Peggy Rock. Greater Western Sydney ruck Fleur Davies booted the first goal of the match.

The result means Palmerston is running out of chances to snatch a finals berth, with Waratah and Wanderers also only four points adrift from Waratah in fifth place. Meanwhile, Nightcliff sits pretty atop the table with a perfect record and just three home-and-away rounds left to play. Wanderers, PINT, and Tiwi all have a bye in hand.

St Mary’s shapes as being the Tigers’ closest flag rival after accounting for PINT in a battle between second and third. The Saints opened Round 15 on Friday night with a 29-point victory, set up by three unanswered goals in the second quarter. The Queenants were held goalless at one end of TIO Stadium, while star Saints Billie Byers, Milly Martin, and Poppy Schaap all booted two goals each. 

The win means St Mary’s has all but officially wrapped up second spot and a double chance in finals. Elsewhere, Darwin wobbled on the eve of the postseason with a shock 15-point loss to the last-place Tiwi. Having only won one game this season prior to Saturday, the Bombers were propelled to victory by a three-goal to nil opening quarter.

Meanwhile, Waratah and Wanderers swapped spots on the ladder after the Tahs saluted by 41 points to close out the round. A run of five goals to one in the second half ensured Waratah would keep its finals hopes alive and leapfrog the Muk Muks in one fell swoop. Things shape as being much tougher next time out against Nightcliff, though.

PALMERSTON MAGPIES 1.2 | 3.3 | 5.3 | 5.4 (34)
NIGHTCLIFF TIGERS 3.2 | 3.5 | 5.8 | 6.9 (45)

GOALS:
Palmerston: B. Burt 3, Z. Farquharson, E. Ward
Nightcliff: F. Davies, H. Garland, C. McWilliam, N. Tile, J. Ware, K. Zerafa

BEST:
Palmerston: B. Burt, E. Ward, E. Rowe, S. Murphy, M. Carlton, Z. Farquharson
Nightcliff: K. Zerafa, J. Ware, S. Politis, N. Tile, G. Deller, P. Rock

ROUND 15 RESULTS

PINT 3.3 (21) def. by St Mary’s 7.8 (50)
Tiwi Bombers 6.5 (41) def. Darwin Buffaloes 4.2 (26)
Palmerston Magpies 5.4 (34) def. by Nightcliff Tigers 6.9 (45)
Waratah 7.12 (54) def. Wanderers 2.1 (13)

Bye: Southern Districts

NTFL WPL LADDER

1. Nightcliff Tigers | 12-0 | 276.8% | 50 points
2. St Mary’s | 10-2 | 289.3% | 42 points
3. PINT | 9-4 | 242.0% | 38 points
4. Darwin Buffettes | 6-6 | 90.6% | 26 points
5. Southern Districts | 5-6 | 97.3% | 22 points
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6. Palmerston Magpies | 4-8 | 88.2% | 18 points
7. Waratah | 4-8 | 70.1% | 18 points
8. Wanderers | 4-9 | 37.1% | 18 points
9. Tiwi Bombers | 2-11 | 53.2% | 8 points

ROUND 16 FIXTURE

Darwin Buffaloes vs. St Mary’s
Saturday January 31, 12:00pm @ TIO Stadium

Tiwi Bombers vs. Palmerston Magpies
Saturday January 31, 2:00pm @ TIO Stadium

Southern Districts vs. Wanderers
Saturday January 31, 4:00pm @ Norbuilt Oval

Nightcliff Tigers vs. Waratah
Sunday February 1, 6:00pm @ Nightcliff Oval

Bye: PINT