Winchelsea steals one-point win over Thomson in dramatic qualifying final

A COURAGEOUS fightback from Thomson was not enough to prevent Winchelsea from winning a nail-biting GDNL First Qualifying Final, 54-53.

The Blues and the Tigers went down to the wire as both sides amassed 24 goals in the fourth quarter, but Winchelsea’s one goal lead at the final break was all the difference.

Winchelsea’s Melody Philpott was the Blues’ top goal-getter with 32 on the day, supported by Katrina Filice’s 17 and Ebony Berg’s five.

Best on courts went to Winchelsea’s Meg Royal, Philpott and Connie Royal.

Thomson’s Emma Witham matched Philpott with 32 goals of her own.

Skye Wellington, Rebecca Lebish and Courtney Leith were given notable mentions during the matchup.

Winchelsea will clash with minor premiers East Geelong next Saturday, August 27 for a spot in the GDNL Grand Final, while Thomson awaits the winner of today’s Werribee Centrals/Bannockburn encounter for to decide who takes part in next weekend’s semi-final.