Sharks show bite but Kats prevail in NPFL round 2

Dampier Sharks challenged the reigning premiers in round two of the North Pilbara Football League, almost hitting the front in the last quarter before ultimately going down by 14 points.

Both Dampier and Karratha put in determined performances at Windy Ridge Oval last Friday.

The Kats dominated on the scoreboard throughout the first half, despite strong defensive pressure from the Sharks designed to shut down their opponents’ free-flowing playing style on show against the Falcons in round one.

By half-time, Karratha had booted 8.3 (51) and led by 30 points.

In the second half the Sharks began to close the margin.

Adopting a more offensive focus and finding space on the field, Dampier outscored the Kats in the third term and succeeded in reducing the margin to within four goals.

The Sharks sustained that pressure and came within one goal of their opponents midway through the last quarter but a fightback from the Kats prevented them from getting over the line.

The final score was 13.6 (84) to 11.4 (70) to Karratha.

Kats’ top goal scorers were Matthew Tamm (four) and Todd Kovacevich (three), while the Sharks’ best return came from Shaun Derschow (four).

The reserves match was a different story as Kats thrashed the Sharks by more than 100 points.

They kicked 3.2 to Sharks’ 0.0 in the first term before running away with the game, spurred on by a seven-goal blitz in the second quarter.

Karratha ultimately won 19.10 (124) to Sharks’ 3.2 (20).

Kats’ Christopher Wynne, (five goals), Daniel Farmer (three) and Kirk Harris (three) were the winning team’s major scorers.