Feathers and fur flew in blustery conditions at Glengarry Recreation Reserve in the clash between fourth and third with the Cougars grabbing the upper hand early to boot away to a commanding lead midway through the opening term.
It was a tight opening to the match between two flag contenders, with the visitors gaining the ascendency before breaking through on the scoreboard to skip away to a three goal lead before the home side troubled the scorer.
But there was little for the Cougars to celebrate about after quarter time, the side convincingly outplayed as they allowed the Magpies to fly free booting 13 goals to three after half time.
Six of those goals came in a blitzing final term which left the Cougars down and out two weeks from finals.
Churchill opened their account 10 minutes into the match, and quickly followed with their second as they drew forward from the centre bounce to register consecutive goals in as many minutes.
Dean Jenkins registered Churchill's third after loading up off three steps from the 50 metre line, as the Glengarry defence felt the brunt of the versatility of the opposition's forward line structure.
The Magpies struggled to break through the middle of the ground, as they made uncharacteristic skill errors which saw the Cougars defence swoop on the loose ball and draw forward time and time again.
A minor score to Brad Smith got the home side on the board before the Magpies over turned the ball in the middle of the ground to break free into the forward line, with best on ground Matt Adams scoring the sides first major prior to quarter time.
The tables turned in the second term, in what appeared the scoring end the home side reversed their limited fortunes on the scoreboard in the first stanza to outscore the visitors 3.5 (23)to 1.3 (9).
The Magpies defence stood tall as they contained Nathan McDonald and co allowing their forwards to make the most of their opportunities.
Darren White opened proceedings for Glengarry his shot sneaking into the near side, as the home side reeled the margin back to two majors.
It was followed by a major to Simon Ferguson with the Magpies within a goal of the Cougars.
Churchill appeared flat footed and stagnant with the run and drive that they had in the first term vanishing from their play, Nathan McDonald booting his sides only goal for the term to reel the margin back out to 12 points.
Brad Smith had his chances to kick his side in front but hooked consecutive shots at goal which allowed Churchill to maintain their quarter time lead at the main break.
The Magpies seven goal to two third term buried the Cougars chances of victory, with Jack Robertson leading the charge in front of goals finishing the match with five majors.
Robertson's snap shot resulted in the home side regaining the lead and was quickly followed by a flurry of majors with Ferguson adding his second and Smith booting his first of two as the Magpies hit the lead by 12 points.
Their fourth for the term drew the margin out to one of the biggest of the match as Glengarry contained the play within their forward 50 arc as the Cougars play makers of Joey Whykes and Brandon Mahoney were kept in close check.
The intensity of the Magpies hard work was evident by Josh Marytn whose efforts in the middle of the ground with second and third attack on the ball setting up Adams who took a strong mark in the forward line. Adams running around the opposition to goal
Moving the ball from defence Mark Engley's shot from on 50 skimmed through the goals as the margin grew before a goal to Jenkins in the dying minutes of the third term reeled one back.
But Glengarry responded a 50 metre penalty gifting Jesse Bird a major before three quarter time.
It rained goals for the Magpies in the final quarter the side peppering away at the scoreboard to blow the margin out to 58 points, the victory moving Glengarry into the top three.
Burying reigning premiers Heyfield's chances of a finals berth last Saturday, ROSEDALE tested the strength and resolve of flag favourites Gormandale in a classic tussle worthy of match of the round status.
The Blues trailed by 21 points at quarter time but steamrolled Gormandale in the second stanza booting 7.1 (43) to 2.3 (15) to reverse a deficit into a seven point lead.
A lead the home side failed to relinquish as they played a commanding brand of football to outplay the competitions front runners running home comfortable 32 point victors, 14.12 (96) to 9.10 (64).
Gerard Barnes was impressive for the Blues his pace around the ground along with Justin Emery's work in the midfield caused headaches for the Tigers engine room. Barnes was also a formidable option when moving forward, he finished with three majors along with team mates Andrew Flanagan and Brad Caldwell.
The Tigers loss has left the door ajar for Sale City to regain top place and the title of minor premier.
A costly final term fade out by Boisdale resulted in WOODSIDE'S stirring comeback 15 point victory.
The Wildcats trailed by 13 points at half time a margin which they narrowed to two points at the start of the final term, the visitors holding the Bombers at bay to kick 3.3 (21) to 0.3 (3) to claim their fourth win of the season.
Strating strongly the Bombers kicked away to a commanding lead in the first term but struggled to fire there after as they allowed the Wildcats to claw their way back into the contest.
Luke Pavey and Damien Kerr were the pick of the goal kickers for the Wildcats booting three a piece with Luke Anedda and Brett Kerr among the sides best.
COWWARR made easy work of TTU with the visitors kicking away to a 39 point buffer at half time a lead which they extended to ten goals at the final siren.
The match was an even keel at quarter time, before the Saints hit their straps in the second term to march away from the Bombers booting six goals to two to establish a handy break at the main change.
The scoring dried up in the third term, with neither side able to have an impact in front of goals in a tight dogged 20 minutes of football.
Cowwarr's Brad McBride and Lockie Johnston were the catalysts in the forward line booting four and two majors respectively with Pat Tainsh and Brett Street among the sides best.
Ron Barassi joined a large crowd that congregated for the WorkSafe Game of the Month between SALE CITY and Stratford, the Dogs turning it on to thump the Swans by 181 points.
The second placed Dogs looked impressive from the onset in the heavy conditions, the side quickly hitting the scoreboard through Michael Walsh. Walsh's major one of five first term goals for the home side.
The Dogs struggled to make the most of their opportunities in front of goals with the conditions trying for goal kicking, the side booting 17 minor scores in the opening half before a blitzing 17 goal second half.
Clint Counahan and Matt Lutze were the catalysts in forward line for the Dogs booting four a piece, the duo two of 14 individual goal scorers.
For Stratford Gavin Bickery, Jack Davison and Kane Chester efforts were commendable.
By Lauren Carey
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