Football
6 May, 2026
Tigers run down Lakers
Pimpinio’s senior football side stormed home to a round four victory in the Horsham District Football Netball League on Saturday, May 2, kicking 10 fourth-quarter goals to defeat Taylors Lake.
Playing at Dock Lake Recreation Reserve, the Tigers kicked 20.14 (134) to the Lakers’ 12.15 (87).
Both sides had an equal share of possession and opportunities in the first quarter, with a Nick Groves goal late in the quarter giving the Tigers a 28-23 lead at the first break.
The home side dominated the inside 50 battle early in the second quarter, but struggled to convert.
Three Alex Baker goals saw the Lakers take the lead and go up 47-37 at halftime.
Having lost main ruck Max Kamstra early in the game, Lakers backup Mackenzie May was injured in the first bounce of the second half, leaving the home side vulnerable in the ruck.
However, Taylors Lake continued to win the majority of the ball from the contest, and extended their lead to 16 halfway through the third quarter.
But two crucial goals from Brock Hamerston and some missed opportunities up forward from the Lakers kept Pimpinio in the game, as they reduced the deficit to four (75-71) at the three-quarter break.
With injuries impacting the home side and the momentum shifting Pimpinio’s way late in the third, the Tigers pounced immediately in the last term, kicking two goals in two minutes.
Despite a couple of goals from Taylors Lake, Pimpinio dominated the remainder of the game, kicking eight additional majors to win by 47.
Nick Groves led the Tigers with seven goals, while Jason Westley had seven.
Ruckman Matt Healy, Brock Hamerston, Austin Simpson and Dylan Thomas were among the top performers for the victors.
Alex Baker was a standout for the Lakers up forward with six goals, with Patrick Lindsey and Dylan Bates having strong performances in the midfield.
Tigers co-coach Cullen Williams was pleased with how the team responded late in the game, admitting the Lakers seriously challenged them for most of the game.
“Really pleased in the end,” he said.
“Obviously, it was a tight battle in the first half.
“Taylors Lake really took it out to us, and the conditions it was really windy and wet at the start, so we struggled a little bit.
“A big emphasis for us was that last quarter, making sure that we swung the momentum our way and the mids won it in the in the clearance, and then it was just easy for us forwards to get on the end of a few.”
The Pimpinio coach added that he was impressed by the ongoing improvement of several young players in the side.
“I thought Dylan Thomas, who's been really good for us, was good again in the midfield,” Williams said.
“Link Smith was good as well, Nick Groves kicked seven in the end, and young Aussie Simpson keeps getting better every week.
“It was a really good team effort in the end.”