Late Imperials resurgence not enough to overcome strong Boyup Brook performance

The Boyup Brook Roos have held off a late attempted comeback by the Imperials to win their opening match of the 2022 Lower South West Football League match, 10.7(67) to 7.14(56). The match, held in Boyup Brook on Sunday, was off to a one-sided start at the Roos pounced on the game early and showed the Imperials the match would be far from easy. Five goals in the opening term gave Boyup Brook some breathing room over the Manjimup outfit as the siren sounded and left the two squads 18 points apart. The second quarter was a hard-fought and low-scoring battle between the sides and while Imperials failed to kick a goal, they also prevented Boyup Brook from disappearing out of sight in the tie. At halftime the score line favoured the home team by 24 points, with Boyup Brook having scored 7.3(45) to Imperials 2.9(21). The third period of play was dominated by Boyup Brook who came out swinging in an attempt to take out the competition and run away with a victory. The Imperials attacks were stunted by the rigid Boyup Brook defence which resulted in only two points being scored compared with the Roos’ one goal and three behinds. At the end of the third quarter the Roos led by 31 points over the visitors which meant the Imperials were going to have to dig deep if they were to salvage anything from the tie. Seemingly out of nowhere, the Imperials began playing some beautiful passages of football and at times were walking through the home team. The Roos still managed to kick a couple of goals of their own but the fourth quarter was dominated by Imperials as they kicked five goals and three behinds. Ultimately, it was too little, too late from the Imperials as the full-time siren went and Boyup Brook won by just 11 points. David Cowan, Alex, Daniel, Ben Cabassi, Ryan Pessotto and Fraser Mead were among the best on ground for Boyup Brook while Brandy Armstrong, Austin Styles, Tyler Ipsen, Charlie Waideman and Heath Bernardin were stand outs for Imperials.