Tigers burst to life in final quarter to pinch narrow win

Boulder awoke from a slumber that spanned three quarters to pile on four goals that sparked an unlikely Rivalry Round victory on Saturday over Mines Rovers by 10 points, 4.2 (26) to 2.4 (16), in the Goldfields Football League’s women’s competition.

The sum of Boulder’s scoring to three-quarter-time was a solitary behind — posted in the second term.

But apart from an initial burst that yielded 2.3 to quarter-time, Mines Rovers were unable to consolidate and instead mirrored the Tigers’ offensive struggles with a second term behind and a scoreless third quarter.

It left the door ajar for Boulder, who began the run home with a goal from Niamh Daly that was followed up three minutes later with Chelsea Ponta’s conversion that cut the deficit to three points.

Teagan Schell then put the yellow-and-blacks in front, and vice-captain Sienna Kinninmont kicked the sealer with less than two minutes remaining.

Jessica Bolton and Amy Vause kicked a goal apiece for Mines Rovers, who retained second place on the ladder — albeit on percentage after Boulder drew level on six wins.

With a general bye applying this Saturday in the GFL and a club bye the following weekend, Boulder do not resume until round 15 on July 25 against defending premiers Railways as they strive to crack the top-two.

Holding them back, however, is a lowly percentage of 87.84 — compared to 237.67 for Mines Rovers, who also have a game in hand over their Digger Daws Oval co-tenants.

And Kalgoorlie last weekend wasted a golden opportunity to move into the top-four in a four-point loss against Railways, 1.5 (11) to 1.1 (7).

The Panthers’ 1.2 to quarter-time was the key to the side’s competition-best ninth win, that was followed by two scoreless quarters and just three behinds in the run home.

It was an opportunity lost for Kalgoorlie, who failed to score to half-time and again in the last quarter after registering their entire score in the third term.

For Railways, who were unbeaten last year en route to the flag, it was their lowest score of the season, and it marked the seventh time in 2026 that Kalgoorlie have been held to one goal or less.

GFLW fixtures resume on July 18 when Kalgoorlie hosts Kambalda at Sir Richard Moore Sports Centre, and Mines Rovers oppose Railways at Digger Daws Oval.

Kambalda, who had a bye last weekend, hold fourth spot by a game over Kalgoorlie.

GFLW ladder:

Railways 36 points; Mines Rovers, Boulder 24; Kambalda 12; Kalgoorlie 8.

Leading goal kickers:

Drew Epis (Railways) 10; Jemma Leeson (Kalgoorlie) 7; Paris Ulijn (Railways), Latoya Ashwin (Mines Rovers), Niahm Daly (Boulder), Jada Hansen (Mines Rovers) 6.