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nthgiplogoTwo nail biting contests highlighted North Gippsland football with reigning premier's CHURCHILL holding on in the dying minutes of the contest against Yarram to advance to a five-two win loss ledger.

Taking a comfortable 28 point buffer into the final term, Churchill were left wanting in the early stages of the fourth with Yarram boasting the opening three scoring shots of the quarter to reel the margin back to 20 points.

In a 10 minute purple patch, the Demons led by best on ground Shem Rendell and Grif Underwood were among everything. Churchill forward Tim Darby looked to settle his side with his second for the match, but it would be Yarram's Corbin Sutherland that would be the forward of the final term.

Booting his second for the quarter Sutherland reigned the margin back to an attainable 13 points at the 18 minute mark of the term. With the momentum swinging the way of the visitors Sutherland was at it again with his fourth for the contest and third for the term which had the Demons within a kick.

As the clock counted down a free kick off the ball was awarded to Jarryd Swift who was quick to rocket the pass off to Matt Clavarino who then went back to Swift who looked to the forward of the term Sutherland who registered a major from 30 metres out.

With 28 minutes on the clock and a one point buffer the way of the reigning premiers, Churchill's defence was under siege. Dean DeGroot looked to stem the flow at centre half back, booting the ball forward but it would be the Underwood brothers Grif and Ryan that would swoop on the loose ball get.

Bombing the ball in long, Darby took a staunch mark on the last line of defence. Kicking the ball out of danger towards the tall target of ruckman Andrew Brown, Darby's kick couldn't be marked as the ball again came to ground with the Demons fleet footed midfield quick to swoop. Drilling forward a free kick was awarded in Churchill's back 50 before the siren rang out, the home side holding on in a one point thriller 12.13 (85) to 12.12 (84).

The return of Brendan Holt was a key inclusion for Churchill, Holt booting four for the match. Coach Allan Chandler led from the front, Brown had an enthralling battle against Lukas Jenkins, while Nick Osbone was judged best a field for the Cougars.

Yarram's Rendell had a standout game, Grif Underwood and Jari McDonald were instrumental in and around the contest while the defence was led well under pressure by Chris Pettitt.

In a contest that could be likened to that of paper, scissors, rock the battle between eighth and ninth placed was an epic tussle with COWWARR coming back in the dying stages to snatch the points.

Starting strongly to post the first major Cowwarr impressed early, Brett Street among the play along with Luke Heiser as they began to dictate the match on their terms.

Jordon Sandy slotted through his first of three for the match, following a passage of play which saw Sam Marks kick hit the chest of Kallan Fitzclarence whose vision allowed him to centre the ball to find Sandy on the lead.

The goal was quickly answered by another to the home side, before Sandy put Brendan Solomon under pressure the goal sneak closely guarded by Kevin Stoddart. Solomon taking a strong mark to go back and goal.

Solomon had his second for the term when he ran into an open goal, the major set up by a clever bump by captain Luke Heggarty who unbalanced the Saints defender.

The second term went very much the way of the first, each side responding to the challenge of the other with the margin five points at the long change.

Cowwarr worked hard in the third term to break out to one of the biggest margins 11 points, with Robbie Ferguson creative in the forward line and Ben Edebohis major against the boundary line from 40 metres out one for the highlights reel.

Al Jenkin has received the praise of coach Luke Henderson, and it was easy to see why the Tigers coach has flagged Jenkin's as one to watch. A telling goal in the third term brought the visitors to within three points before Cowwarr added another which had the crowd on their feet.

With the game in the balance, the first major of the final stanza went to Cowwarr through Edebohis with Linden Brunt following suit to blow the margin out to 23 points.

Gormandale rallied, mounting an almighty comeback with three unanswered majors bringing the margin to an attainable five points. A snap at goal handed the Tigers a one point led before ruckman Jenkin added another to his match tally as the clock counted down.

Down by seven points, both sides threw everything at the contest with the Saints running into an open goal to be back within a point. As the Saints forwards pressured and harassed the Tigers defence, Tiger Brent McFarlane looked to settle his side but it was the home side's forwards and running brigade that flooded the sides offensive 50 tumbling the ball over the line to register a behind.

With the clock working against the Tigers, and with the Saints shutting down the visitors run from half back Cowwarr would register yet another behind to win, 15.14 (104) to 16.6 (102).

ROSEDALE spoiled Glengarry's Anthony McMahon's 300 senior game celebrations with the Blues relentless in their 118 point victory against the bottom placed Magpies.

Leading from start to finish the second placed Blues skipped away to a 38 point lead at the main change, booting six goals to nil in the opening stanza. The scoring slowed in the second quarter before the Blues inflicted more damage with an eight goal premiership term which blew the margin out to 14 goals at the final change.

Rosedale's charge on the scoreboard was led by trio Luke Stuckey, Jack Tatterson and Dale Fleming who finished with five apiece.

McMahon was Glengarry's highest scorer marking his milestone with three majors in a strong individual performance.

HEYFIELD's Leigh Brown was the architect in the forward line as he booted eight majors as the Kangaroos went pink in the Footprints Foundation awareness clash.

Taking to the field in a bright pink strip, Brown was part of a multi prong attack which troubled Woodside's defence. The tall timber of Jesse Jackway (three goals) and Jesse Bedggood (two) caused headaches for the Wildcats back six who toiled hard to keep the rebounding Kangaroos score to a minimum, 18.13 (121) to 11.10 (76).

Stamping their authority with a 10 goal to three opening half, the Wildcats proved no match for the rampant home side who were led from defence by best on ground Scott Anderson. The ever reliable book end to the Kangaroos defence Anderson led the rebound from half back into the potent forward line time and time again.

Anderson's teammate Marcus Goodwin was reliable, Sean Humphries continued his solid form from last round and Josh Stubbe amassed possessions in a strong showing.

Keegan Dingo, Ryan Foat, Tom Love and Shane Kilgower were the pick of the players for the Wildcats.

A depleted TTU line-up kept within arm's reach of ladder leaders SALE CITY in what could be described as an arm wrestle of an opening half which saw four points separate the sides.

Down and out the Bombers showed plenty of fight in a gritty opening half which saw visitors trail the competitions number one ranked side at the long change.

The pendulum then swung the way of the Dogs who were led by the experience of captain Matt Lutze in the ruck, contested ball winner David Piasente and defenders Tim DiMarco and Ben Chivers who played a led role in shutting down the Bombers avenue to goal.

The home side chipped away on the scoreboard adding nine goals to three to post a comfortable six goal victory. For the victors the goals came through Lutze, Piasente and recruit Kaandorp, while for the Bombers Chase Saunders and Lachlan White booted two apiece.

By Lauren Carey