Imperials take the win over Southerners despite the heavy rain and muddy conditions in round 16

The Imperials recorded just their fourth win of the year in the Lower South West Football League at the weekend when they came from behind to beat the Southerners by 20 points. Imperials started off slow in the mud and wet, 11 points behind at half-time, before making a comeback in the third quarter and going on to claim a 7.14 (56) to 5.6 (36) win. The Southerners got the better start of the two sides, leading by five points at quarter-time before leading 3.5 (23) to 1.6 (12) at the main change. But the Imperials began stifling the Southerners with their goal-kicking prowess and booted four back-to-back goals to put them in the lead at the three-quarter-time break. The forward presence of Tyler Ipsen, who scored a season-high five goals, proved challenging for the Southerners’ defence who struggled to shut down the advance. In the final quarter, the Southerners had a crack at reducing the margin but their efforts proved fruitless as they were defeated by the Imperials. The win put the Southerners fifth on the ladder, trailing Kojonup by percentage. In the league’s other match at the weekend, Boyup Brook was able to claim an impressive win over Kojonup to stay in touch with Deanmill. The Roos were able to outlast the Cougars thanks largely to a five-goal haul from David Cowan and three majors from Alex Cabassi to win 14.15 (99) to 9.8 (62) The visitors started well at the Kojonup Sporting Complex but led by only nine points at quarter-time before getting into gear. Boyup Brook booted five goals in a dominant third term to lead 8.8 (56) to 5.2 (32) at the main break. The Roos continued to show why they will be a threat come finals time, but Kojonup began to find their feat, with both sides having seven scoring shots in a tighter third term. After leading by 29 points with a quarter to play, the Roos took control of the match, and ran away with the match to win by 37 points. Kojonup are set to face Bridgetown this weekend with a spot in the finals on the line. The Cougars will need to beat Bridgetown or lose without denting their percentage too much if they want to keep their spot in the top four — which they hold over Southerners by seven percentage points.