IN round 15 of the Hills Football Association (HFA) games, Mt Helena were the victors against Gidgegannup.

This was almost a rehearsal with both clubs likely to play off against each other in the upcoming finals series.

With both teams missing players due to injury it had the potential of being an even affair and the game certainly closed out that way.

With the final score Mt Helena 14.7 (91) defeating Gidgegannup 12.14 (86), the Lions wonby five points.

Mt Helena Lion Bo Read has assumed the number one ruck duties in the absence of teammate Hamish Duncan.

His duel against Bulldogs player Declan Whife didn’t disappoint with Read getting the better of his opponent in the ground contests.

The Lions were winning more than their fair share of the one-on-one contests which began to show on the scoreboard.

Lions Matthew Elwood and Jess Cartwright were on the receiving end of some clever kicks by teammate Keegan Woods, with both converting their kicks at goal.

Fellow Mt Helena player Brendan Agnew continued his hard runs out of his backline, while opposing Gidgegannup Bulldog Beau Nairn started off strong with some timely intercept marks down back.

At the first break the Lions had opened an 11-point lead.

Mt Helena dominated most of the second quarter kicking five goals to Gidgegannup’s nil.

Lion Ryan Watters teamed with Blade Elzer to both kick goals.

Fellow Lion Julian Maturo was making up for his quiet day on the scoreboard with some clever passes to teammates in better scoring positions.

The Lions were ahead with a 41-point lead when the half time siren sounded.

The Bulldogs needed to dig deep if they were going to get themselves back into the contest.

Bulldog Liam Marriott started to get his hands on the ball, getting it forward to where teammate Cameron Hore offered up as a target as he started to find form after an extended injury break.

The tables had started to turn as the Bulldogs outscored the Lions by 20 points for the quarter.

The deficit could have been less if a couple of their shots at goal had been more accurate.

The scene was set for a big finish if the Bulldogs could maintain their momentum.

The Mt Helena backs found themselves under constant pressure as the ball spent lengthy periods in Gidgegannup’s forward line.

Lions Ryley Maturo and Zac Read worked tirelessly trying to halt the continued Bulldogs advances.

Lion Charlie Read dropped back to help support his backmen.

Bulldog Cameron Hore hit a purple patch to kick four last quarter goals bringing his game tally to six.

At the other end Lion Jess Cartwright closed out his game by also kicking his sixth goal.