Sport
8 May, 2023
Natte survive gallant Lexton challenge
LEXTON 5.11 (41) def by NATTE BEALIBA 7.12 (54) Natte Bealiba staged a come from behind victory over Lexton on Saturday when they won a close game by 13 points. Lexton was in control early in the game thanks to Darren Cook, who kicked two opening...

LEXTON 5.11 (41) def by NATTE BEALIBA 7.12 (54)
Natte Bealiba staged a come from behind victory over Lexton on Saturday when they won a close game by 13 points.
Lexton was in control early in the game thanks to Darren Cook, who kicked two opening term goals, as Lexton led by 15 points at quarter time.
Natte Bealiba bounced back in the second quarter with three goals while Lexton scored one through a great left foot snap from recruit Tom Nankivell, who has returned to footy after a five-year hiatus.
The third goal for Natte Bealiba came from a 50 metre penalty to have the Swans just one point in arrears at half time.
The third term was a tough slog as both teams found it difficult to score. But the Tigers eventually broke through to score the first two goals of the term through Alex McLean, and an incredible goal from Dylan Hinchliffe, when he baulked his opponent on the boundary line and threaded the needle to put the home team up by 11 points late in the quarter. But a late goal to Natte playing-coach Trent Mortlock brought the margin back to five points at the final change.
Both backlines were repelling the ball from their defensive area as Jordan Phelan constantly cleared the ball for Lexton, and Zac Mortlock doing the same for Natte Bealiba.
Trent proved very difficult for the Tigers Adrian Verhoeven in the final quarter as he took many marks and his first shot on goal was just two minutes in and put the Swans in front for the first time in the game. Natte kicked two more goals through Trent and Jordi Cossar as the Swans came from behind to claim victory.
Natte’s best players were Jye Mortlock, Tom Broadbent, Trent, Zac, Austin Mckenzie, and Stephen Ross.
Lexton's best were Joshua Sargent, Hinchliffe, Jaykeb Lench, Tyler Richards, Jack Peacock, and Phelan with Cook kicking two goals.