Reigning premier Gumeracha has all but sewn up second spot and the all important double chance after defeating a gallant Meadows by two points at Gumeracha with just one round to go in the Hills Football League (HFL) Country Division. The home side jumped out to an 11-point lead at quarter time before Meadows bounced back to trail by just four points at halftime. One goal each in the third term saw Gumeracha turn for home still clinging to that four point lead. Meadows hit the front at the 15-minute mark of the final term when Jarad Mellor kicked his third goal but the lead was to be short lived as Gumeracha goaled with just five minutes left and held on to win 8.6 (54) to 7.10 (52). Rob McCard kicked three goals for the home side while Mellor also kicked three for Meadows. Ben Hanna, Danny Leith and Daniel Wood were best for Gumeracha while Luke Smart, Luke Watson and Mathew Beinke were named in Meadows’ best players.

Kangarilla won their fourth game of the 2020 HFL campaign with a comprehensive 67-point home win over Macclesfield. Kangies had a handy lead at halftime of 27 points before a nine goals to three second half saw the home side win 14.13 (97) to 4.6 (30). Kangarilla has shown excellent improvement in 2020, winning four games from seven starts compared to just five wins all last season (16 games). Josh Albanese (4), Michael Ross (3), Jamie Grosser (3) and Adrian Albanese (2) were the multiple goal kickers for Kangarilla. Adrian Albanese, Josh Albanese, Ross, Tyler Virgo and Brendan Hillier were best for the ‘Roos. Riley Daykin, Reece Jolly and Jack Clark were among the best players for Maccy.

Kersbrook have booked their place in the finals after winning their final game of the minor round against Torrens Valley at Kersbrook Oval. The Brookers have the bye in the final round and will enjoy the week off leading into the major round after disposing of Torrens Valley 19.16 (130) to 3.2 (20). Jonathan Ross kicked six goals (23 for the season) for Kersbrook with Ben Paues kicking four. Ryan Xanthopoulos continued his excellent season as he was named best on ground. He was well supported by Matthew Gardner, Paul James, Ross and Jacob Pitman. Torrens Valley was best served by Aaron Turner, Jono Voigt, Shaun Lake, Jai Waterman and Mark Mueller.

Birdwood also confirmed their spot in the major round as they ground out a tough 17-point win at home against Bridgewater-Callington. Birdwood led by 10 points at quarter time and had extended that out to a handy 18 points by the long break. The Raiders won the third quarter to reduce the margin to 10 points at the final change but the Roosters steadied to win 8.10 (58) to 6.5 (41). Josh Sykes led the goalscorers for Birdwood with three goals while Nathan Rowlands kicked two majors for the Raiders. Matthew Osborne, Jarred Jones, Fraser Gehrich, Steve Peter and Jed Telfer were best for the much improved Roosters while for the Raiders, Jackson Hooper was their best for the second week in a row and was well supported by Alec Bryars, Will Fearnhead, Charlie Dring and Liam Healey.

Ironbank-Cherry Gardens had the bye.

Ladder after Round 8

Ironbank-Cherry Gardens 14, Gumeracha 12, Birdwood 10, Kersbrook 10, Kangarilla 8, Meadows 4, Bridgewater-Callington 4, Macclesfield 2, Torrens Valley 0.

Round 9 fixtures (Home team named first)

Bridgewater-Callington v Macclesfield 

Torrens Valley v Kangarilla

Meadows v Birdwood

Ironbank-Cherry Gardens v Gumeracha

Kersbrook has the bye