IN what could possibly decide which team finishes fourth even at this stage of the season, Boston gained a break over Marble Range by defeating the Rangers once again at home.
In a tight first quarter, with both teams missing easy goals, Shanley and Charman had a good duel at the centre bounces.
Owen and Semmler got early touches, Brooks out at centre half forward had taken a couple of strong marks while new player Hart for Boston took a strong mark to score Boston's first goal.
Hywood with his pace pushed the ball into the Boston forward line.
Theodosiou combined with Hart and caused headaches for the Rangers' backline, with Scott playing a lone hand for the Rangers.
At quarter time Boston led 2-2 to 2-0.
In the second quarter Bascombe came into ruck and Boston started to get their hands on the ball first through Marsh and Minhard. Leigh Watherston was giving away inches to Brooks but was doing well once the ball hit the ground.
Hywood lifted the Tigers with a great solo effort to goal as Levi Smith and Jake Sampson were using their leg speed to push the ball forward for the Rangers.
Both teams still missed easy goals as Singh and Semmler both missed from close range.
Tabe blotted his game by taking a great pack mark and then kicked out on the full.
Boston did all the attacking but Damon Scott was still playing well at full back for the Rangers.
Tabe finally goaled for Bostons and at half time the Tigers had gained a break 6-6 to 3-3.
Boston exploded out of the blocks in the third quarter with Singh out of the middle to Hywood then onto Marsh for a goal. Shanley and Charman were still having an enthralling duel at the centre bounces but Boston were not taking advantage of Shanley's taps.
Farquarson suddenly burst into the game with a great running goal and finished the quarter with two team lifting goals.
The Boston backline in Edmonds, Coleman and Watherston combined well.
Boston were attacking hard and with Hywood, Tabe and Marsh putting pressure on the Rangers backline, who were still being led by Damon Scott. Rangers Smith, Sampson and West tried hard to stem the tide, but Boston wouldn't be denied, split the game open and pushed for victory with a six-goal quarter to lead at the last break 12-10 to 4-5.
In the last quarter Marble Range came out determined with Sampson getting early touches, Todd Owen still trying, young Wade Hanson showing his potential with two good goals, and Semmler kicking a long bouncing goal, the Rangers for the first time in the game started working hard together.
Sunny Singh, who had played well all day for the Tigers, lifted his work rate with a good last quarter, and when Marsh was freed in front of goal and kicked straight the Tigers had steadied and ran out comfortable winners, 13-11 to 8-10.
Boston has become a good competitive side all due to hard work in recruiting and behind the scenes work by a dedicated band of workers.
Their attitude on the field has changed and are very committed to each other. The attitude of the club has also changed as was seen by one of their female trainers in Kaye Paech when she assisted a Marble Range player ... something you wouldn't have perhaps seen years ago.
The Tigers on this effort at Wangary are going to be a serious threat as long as they can sustain their consistency after Mortlock.
The Rangers on the other hand have a couple of decisions to make - do they either blood their younger players and look to this year as a rebuilding year or hope their injured player list recover quickly to get them back in the finals race. Whichever way they go they will cause an upset before the year is over.
Congratulations to both sides on a good, hard game.
n By Andy Page
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