Gumeracha has consolidated second spot on the ladder with two rounds to go in the Hills Football League (HFL) Country Division after a 15-point win at home over an ever-improving Kangarilla in round seven action on Saturday. Gumeracha held a nine point lead at quarter time and extended that to a very handy 24 points by halftime. Kangarilla fought back in the ‘premiership quarter’ to reduce the margin to a manageable 13 points at the last change. Three goals each in the final quarter saw the reigning premiers run out 10.9 (69) to 7.12 (54) winners. Rob McCard kicked three goals for Gumeracha while Josh Albanese kicked two for Kangarilla. Cameron Redden, McCard and Braden Hutt were best for the Magpies while for Kangarilla, Brendan Hillier, Michael Ross and Tyler Virgo were their best players.

After a slow start to the season, perennial powerhouse Kersbrook are starting to get their game going and have moved to fourth spot on the HFL ladder after defeating Meadows by 76 points on Saturday at Kersbrook. Meadows made the long trek north with some pretty good form recently and it looked like that was going to continue as the visitors led by a point at quarter time. From that moment on it was all Kersbrook as they kicked 15 goals to two in the final three quarters to win 18.10 (118) to 5.12 (42). Brad Inglis dominated up forward to kick his second ‘bag’ of seven goals in a row. He was ably supported by Jonathon Ross who kicked four goals. Ryan Shaw was the only multiple goalkicker for Meadows as he slotted three majors. 

Ironbank-Cherry Gardens continued on their merry way to record a seventh consecutive victory for 2020, this time by 94 points against Torrens Valley at Mt Torrens. The final scores were 16.12 (108) to 2.2 (14). Josh Vandermeer continued his excellent season for the Thunderers kicking eight goals and moving to the top of the HFL Country Division goal kicking list with 37 majors. Jeremy Johncock chimed in with three goals to take his tally to 30 goals for the season. Matthew Raitt was named best for the Thunderers for the third time this season while Phillip Wilhelm was best for the Lions.

Birdwood are third on the ladder after a 68-point victory over Macclesfield and are looking good for finals in 2020 with two rounds remaining. It was an entertaining first half with 15 goals scored and Birdwood taking a 17-point lead at halftime. It was all Roosters in the second half as they kicked 10 goals to three to win 19.11 (125) to 9.3 (57). Christian Elliott kicked seven goals for Birdwood to be best on ground and he received good support up forward from Josh Sykes who snagged six goals. Denis Iljcesen kicked three goals for Maccy while Brad Thompson was their best player.

Bridgewater-Callington had the bye.

Ladder after Round 7

Ironbank-Cherry Gardens 14, Gumeracha 10, Birdwood 8, Kersbrook 8, Kangarilla 6, Meadows 4, Bridgewater-Callington 4, Macclesfield 2, Torrens Valley 0.

Round 8 fixtures (Home team named first)

Kersbrook v Torrens Valley

Birdwood v Bridgewater-Callington

Kangarilla v Macclesfield

Gumeracha v Meadows

Ironbank-Cherry Gardens has the bye