For the first time in over 5 years, Woodville’s women are on a two game winning streak, defeating Centrals and Norwood in successive weeks.

After a rough start to the season, the Warriors put some pressure on league leaders Southern and North in rounds 6 and 7, getting within 12 points of each. Two weeks ago, it fought out a tough 7 point victory over Centrals, then claimed the scalp of Norwood at Mars last week.

The introduction of Under 18 SA Metro representative Ursula Richards has been a bonus. Richards had 17 points on debut against reigning premiers West, a game high 27 against Centrals, and 14 against Norwood, and while her point scoring has helped, her ability to advance the ball into offence quickly and safely has provided the biggest benefit.

In the men’s competition, the gap between the top 3 teams and the rest of the competition did not shrink last week, with Norwood, North and Forestville winning by an average of 36 points. Fourth placed South edged a game clear of Woodville by defeating West, in game which included many massive mood swings. West led by 9 in the 2nd quarter, then South led by as much as 24, before West reeled it in to a final margin of 8.

The game was the first in a critical three game run for the Panthers, its next two opponents being 5th placed Woodville, and Southern, who it lost to in week 1. Victory in either or both games would go a long way towards cementing its position in the top 5, and possibly claiming its first finals berth this decade.