By Trent Slatter
Photo by Janine Smith
SOUTH Toowoomba has blown the AFL Darling Downs premiership race wide open after handing Warwick its first loss of the season on Sunday.
The Redbacks were unbeaten in seven matches but it was Souths who controlled every quarter to claim an impressive 16.4 (100) to 12.10 (82) upset at Reddies Oval.
Just three points was the difference after a tight opening term before the on-target Bombers stretched that to 15 by halftime.
Warwick clawed back to within 13 at the final change but they couldn't make the most of their scoring shots to chase down Souths.
Souths forward Dan McPhee was in sensational form as he booted eight goals while Jeremy Crow chipped in four.
Meanwhile, Goondiwindi has also ignited its finals hopes with a 17.10 (112) to 11.9 (75) win over Highfields at Roddies Oval.
The Hawks have found some form after a worry run of losses and they showed that by holding off a strong third-quarter charge from Highfields.
The Lions trailed by 38 points at halftime before they kicked 6.2 in the third term to get back within 12.
But Hawks kept Highfields goal-less in the final quarter to hold on for a win.
Adam Scoble and David O'Toole were strong for Goondiwindi with six goals each while Miels Grice kicked five for Highfields.
In the weekend's other matches, Coolaroo enjoyed a day out in front goal with a 42.27 (279) to 4.4 (28) victory over Lockyer Valley.
The Roos had 15 players get their names on the scoresheet led by Adam Green with six goals.
Finally, second-placed University kept the pressure on Warwick with a 24.18 (162) to 1.1 (7) win over the Toowoomba Tigers.
The Tigers were kept scoreless in the second half as Uni moved to within two competition points of the Redbacks.
The AFLDD competition has a general bye this weekend for the representative game against QAFL Amatuers at Warwick.
AFLDD LADDER
After round eight:
Warwick 28
University 26
Coolaroo 18
South Toowoomba 18
Highfields 12
Goondiwindi 12
Toowoomba Tigers 6
Lockyer Valley 0
Last Modified on 13/06/2014 14:05
