THE Hamilton Kangaroos faced the toughest test in the Hampden Football Netball League (HFNL), travelling to Friendly Societies Park to take on South Warrnambool on Saturday.

The Kangaroos struggled to get going early on, as the Roosters got the better of the visitors and scored four goals with the blue and white goalless up to quarter time.

Hamilton tried to go with the home side on the scoreboard and close the deficit, but the Roosters’ strength around the ground was too much and the Kangaroos went into the main break trailing by 32 points.

The visitors tightened up in the third term and almost matched the home side, kicking one goal to South Warrnambool’s two, giving the Kangaroos a small sniff of victory if they could overcome a 39-point three-quarter time deficit.

South Warrnambool kicked five final term goals to hold off the Kangaroos and finished the stronger of the two sides to record a 13.13 (91) to 3.6 (24) win.

Charles Murrie kicked two majors for the visitors, while Andrew Pepper was named the Roos’ best along with Murrie and Mick McMeel.

Sam Kelly (four goals) and Ricky Henderson (three goals) were South Warrnambool’s multiple goal kickers, while Jed Anderson was named the Roosters’ best on ground.