A strong opening half propelled Heidelberg to a terrific 14-point victory over St Mary’s in their top four Heidelberg Golf Club Division 1 women’s battle at Whatmough Park.
The Tigers kicked four goals and kept the Burra to just one behind in the opening two quarters, before holding firm in the second half to prevail 7.6 (48) to 5.4 (34).
It was the side’s first win in exactly one month, as Andrew Harwood’s team now move to equal second on the ladder alongside St Mary’s, with only percentage separating the pair.
Heidelberg’s seventh victory of the season was led by Tessa Hankinson and Ava Vincent.
Hankinson was prolific in midfield and had plenty of disposals to help her side maintain control of the match, meanwhile in her third straight senior appearance, Vincent kicked a season high three goals, two of which coming in the opening term, to help set up her side’s triumph.
Key position players Amelie Gilchrist and Emma Rowe also had solid outings at each end of the ground, with Rowe kicking two majors and Gilchrist often setting the tone in defence.
Troy Bickerton’s side had some strong contributors on their part, with Lanarose Piciaone being one that often-provided spark in midfield alongside captain Elyssa Rees, who played her 50th game for the club.
Caitlin Kreuzberger and Meg Girolami led the way up forward with two goals each while Jessica Ryan fought hard in defence throughout the afternoon.
The entire St Mary’s defensive unit were under the pump from the opening bounce, with the Tigers looking to utilise kicking with a handy breeze in the first term.
Headlined by two Vincent goals, the visitors were able to make use of their advantage, combined with some clean ball movement, to help take an impressive 19-point advantage into quarter time.
But while they were kicking against the wind in the second term, Heidelberg’s intensity rose to another level, bringing the heat to ensure the Burra were under pressure with every possession.
On the flipside, the Tigers were able to continue their efficient ball movement from defence to attack, which kept St Mary’s to just one behind for the quarter.
Andrew Harwood’s side would be the only one to score a goal in the term, thanks to Rowe, allowing the Tigers to extend their advantage to 26 points at the main break.
But whilst they had struggled to keep up with their opponents in the opening half, the Burra were up for the task in the early stages of the third quarter.
Madison Bickerton and Megan Girolami would find the big sticks inside the first eight minutes of the term to suddenly make it a 13-point ball game.
However, Heidelberg didn’t allow their opponents to cut the margin any further, with Rowe and Vincent converting more opportunities in a three-minute stint to remain a comfortable distance from the Burra.
A late Caitlin Kreuzberger major from the home side set the margin at 21 points heading into the last quarter.
After attempts to keep the ball inside their attacking halves were made by both teams early in the final term, it was Olivia Jesser of Heidelberg who kicked the crucial first goal of the quarter to all but seal victory for the Tigers.
Girolami and Kreuzberger provided a glimmer of hope for the Burra with some late goals, Kruezberger’s being a particularly magnificent finish from 35 metres out while tight on the boundary.
But it was too little too late for last year’s Division 2 premiers, with the Tigers icing the game in the final stages to defeat St Mary’s for the second time in 2024, and taking a big step towards a top two finish with two home and away rounds to play.
