Early win for Beach

Cable Beach have reconfirmed their status as the team to beat in this year’s West Kimberley Football League, as the reigning premiers won the pre-season lightning carnival at Broome Recreation and Aquatic Centre last Saturday.

All eight teams played four times over the course of Friday night and Saturday, with Cable Beach beating Broome Bulls 7.4(46) to 2.1(13) in the grand final.

Bulls won three of their four games, as did an impressive Bidyadanga Emus side, while Bombers, Looma and Derby Tigers all won two games.

Cable Beach also faced Derby in one of their games in a replay of last season’s grand final, with the Broome-based team winning by one goal — the same margin as the decider in last year’s campaign.

Most sides used the carnival as a chance to blood youngsters, with the likes of Derby and Saints missing some of their bigger name players.

West Kimberley Football League chief executive Graeme Gordon said the event was the perfect precursor to the new season, and was a well-attended carnival.

“It was a sensational weekend of footy, and a very successful start to the new campaign,” he said.

“In total over the Friday night and Saturday we had around 1000 spectators through the gates, which shows the commitment and interest in football this season.”

The 2013 season starts this Friday, as Broome Saints take on Bidyadanga at 7pm at BRAC.

Saturday’s fixtures will all be played at Haynes Oval, with Bombers and Towns going head-to-head at 11am, before Bulls entertain Looma at 1pm.

The main event of the first weekend however, will be a replay of last year’s grand final, as Cable Beach and Derby do battle once more at 3pm.