Flagstaff Hill moved inside the top-three following their 23-point win against Noarlunga during round 14 action in the Southern Football League (SFL) yesterday. It was a low-scoring first half with ‘Flaggies’ taking a handy 16-point lead to halftime in perfect conditions on their home ground. The Falcons extended their lead to 28 points at three quarter time and the game appeared over. The Shoes had other ideas as they kicked three goals in the first five minutes of the last term to reduce the margin to just 10 points. However, Flagstaff Hill steadied to win 12.13 (85) to 9.8 (62). Nathan Beenham kicked four goals for the Falcons, while Reece Martell and Sam Miller kicked two goals each for the Shoes. Best players for Flagstaff Hill included Nash Mitchell, Luke Beenham, Michael Shearer, Nathan Beenham and David Kearsley. Best for Noarlunga were Callum Gaspari, Zac Williams, Tom Mott, Patrick Marshall and Jake Birch. 

Christies Beach kept their slim finals hopes alive with a come-from-behind victory against Cove at Bice Oval yesterday. Helped by accurate kicking, Cove led by 11 points at the last change and were looking good for their seventh win of the season. ‘Christies’ had other ideas as they slammed on six goals to one in the final term to win 16.14 (110) to 14.4 (88). Blake Carter, Jacob Crate and Josh de Roode all kicked three goals for the Saints, while Ryan Need kicked five goals for the Cobras. Aidan Coakley continued his excellent season for Christies Beach to be named their best player and he was well supported by Michael Mazey, James Conlon, Lee Hoey and Josiah Sheppard. Best for the Cobras included Jake McCreery, Oliver Moore, Dylan Coe, William Moore and Aaron Wordsworth. 

Reynella are another step closer to the minor premiership after a huge 161-point win at Port Noarlunga. The Wine Flies led by 40 points at quarter time, 85 points at halftime, and 122 points at the last change, before winning 30.16 (196) to 5.5 (35). Bailey Marshman kicked 13 goals for Reynella in a best-on-ground performance, while Callan Semple kicked eight majors. Joining Marshman in the best players for the Wine Flies were Tom Schirmer, Sam Whitbread, Semple and Dylan Roser. Best on a tough day for the Cockle Divers were Jordan Zeitz, Kaleb Hesse and Josh Johns.

Happy Valley consolidated their spot in the top-five with a convincing 118-point win against Aldinga. The Vikings led by 79 points at halftime, and a further 10 goals to four in the second half saw them win 24.12 (156) to 5.8 (38). Ben Geytenbeek had a day out for the Vikings with nine goals to give him 56 goals for the season. Brady O’Hanlon was the leading light for the Sharks with three goals. Tate Coleman, Nick Frisby-Smith, Liam Hamilton, Josh Dwyer Sterzl and Joel Beeche were named best players for Happy Valley, while Aldinga’s best included Luke Watson, Matthew Beinke and Bailey Pilmore. 

Morphett Vale had the bye.

Ladder after Round 14

Reynella 22, Noarlunga 18, Flagstaff Hill 16, Morphett Vale 14, Happy Valley 14, Cove 12, Christies Beach 10, Aldinga 6, Port Noarlunga 0.

Round 15 (Saturday 30 July)

Flagstaff Hill v Aldinga

Morphett Vale v Christies Beach

Happy Valley v Port Noarlunga

Reynella v Cove

Noarlunga has the bye