Pies snap Derby drought

The Busselton Magpies stunned the Margaret River Hawks to claim the Busselton Toyota Cup by 11 points on Sunday at Gloucester Park.

It was the first Derby the Pies had won in seven outings against their bitter rivals, set up by a fantastic four-goals-to-one first quarter.

Jacob Ness, Troyden Thorp and Ethan Bowmen got the visitors off to a fast start with hard running and precise short kicking forward of centre.

Mitch Tenardi earned best-on-ground honours with two second-quarter goals and a truck load of possession.

Busselton captain Jackson Arbon tagged Augusta Margaret River ball magnet Mitch Lynn, keeping him quiet for most of the day.

At half-time Busselton held a 20-point lead despite both sides having the same number of scoring shots.

Bailey Sanford kicked a goal to open the third quarter, stretching the margin to 26 points, but Hawks’ midfielders Jon Coghlan and Matt Jukes lifted their work rate to win several clearances and wrest back midfield supremacy.

Barnstorming forward Mitch Payne began bursting through packs like a bull in a china shop, taking two inspirational marks and finishing his work with two straight set shots.

The stage was set for an epic final term and the two teams did not disappoint, going goal for goal early.

When Augusta Margaret River’s Braden Smith kicked his second goal it seemed the Hawks would steal another comeback win at home, but momentum shifted again.

Scores were level with five minutes to play when a Hawks turnover in the middle of the ground resulted in Magpies full forward Jed Kemp snapping the sealer.

Busselton Coach Steve Lester was thrilled with his side’s performance after winning his first derby at Gloucester Park.

“It was important to start well to keep the crowd quiet and we managed to do that and I think our midfield was on top early,” he said.

“One of our focuses was to limit Marg’s contested ball so we tried to get it outside as quickly as we could and we executed our skills well. Not often do plans come together but today it did.”

Augusta Margaret River Coach Matt Jamieson lamented his side’s poor skill level and slow start.

“We had our opportunities but didn’t take them,” he said.