With their season on the line, and wins a must, CHURCHILL sealed one of their best victories of the season against their highly fancied opponent Rosedale.

Dark clouds overhead threatened the match of the round clash in the opening minutes of the contest before, the heavens opened with the Cougars five goal to one first quarter proving the difference at the final siren.
Piling on four unanswered goals Churchill held all the momentum as the rain tumbled down, with foot skills resembling those of the other code of football. Scoring didn't come easy throughout the contest, with Churchill the first to break through on the scoreboard as play concentrated in the home sides attacking 50.
Drawing forward for the first time, Rosedale had no issue scoring true with Nick Rutter slotting through their opener. The rain eased as Churchill added their first of four unanswered majors as the forward six found plenty of the ball, Tim Darby and Brendan Holt among the goals.
Leading by 23 points at the first change, Rosedale exploded out of the blocks in the opening minutes of the second term to score with ease before Churchill got the reply.
Relishing in the slippery conditions Joey Whykes slotted one through before the Cougars coach was assisted off the field through injury. It didn't hamper the Cougars challenge the side adding a further two majors as the home sides fleet footed engine room found the conditions to their liking, Whykes and captain Chris Williams leading from the front.
The third term was a non affair on the scoreboard, a flurry of points from both sides before a major to Rosedale, the Cougars maintaining a 38 point lead at the final change.
Rosedale challenged in the final term to outscore Churchill, however it wasn't enough as players fatigued in the wet and heavy conditions. Churchill winning 9.17 (71) to5.11 (41).
TTU took another step further in confirming their hold on a top three berth, as the Bombers marked Justin Palmers 200th game with a comprehensive 47 point win.
In wet torrid conditions scoring was at a premium throughout the contest with a mere four majors scored by the number two ranked side in the opening half as they kept the opposition Boisdale/Briagolong to a mere four behinds.
Led by milestone player Palmer, and Adam Brady who pulled on the red and black in his 199th match the Bombers from the western end of the competition found the conditions to their liking as they booted a further four majors in the second half to record a 8.18 (66) to 2.87 (19) victory.
Palmer was judged best a field for TTU, finishing the contest with two major's partner in crime Brady was instrumental in the engine room. For Boisdale/Briagolong Adam Helmke worked tirelessly in the heavy conditions under foot, Helmke and Owen Sim trying to create opportunities in front of goal for the Bombers.
Leading by a point at the first change Sale City took it up to fourth placed COWWARR who could ill afford a costly slip up as they aimed to firm their hold on a top five position.
In a level pegged opening term, the Saints burst out of the blocks in the second quarter to slam home three goals to nil as they set about creating a match winning buffer. Best a field Brendan Smith created plenty of play as the Saints took a 16 point lead into the main break.
The premiership term was an even affair with the sides registering a major each, as the scoring dried up and play rebounded back and forward between the half backlines. Sale City defender and best a field for the Dogs Tom Bowman swooped on the loose ball, driving play forward as he was instrumental in restricting the Saints impact in their forward 50 in a tight 20 minutes of play.
The Saints found their poise in the final term, settling in front of goals with Rick Battista and Tim Johnston among the goal kickers as they extended their margin to 40 points to seal their eighth win.
Cowwarr's Ben Edebohls and Simon Ferguson were solid performers with the pair named among the best. For the visitors the goals were shared among five individual goal scorers with Jesse Broadbent and Luke Hedger dogged performers.

Four majors from Mitch Dowse and Kodie Woodland steered HEYFIELD over the line against Woodside, the Kangaroos winning 15.12 (102) to 11.7 (73).

In a game of two halves, the reigning champs hit the ground running exploding out to a four goal lead following a solid six major term. The ladder leaders didn't halt their run in the second term piling on another four majors to nil to establish what appeared a match winning 51 point lead.

However the tables turned in the second half as the visitors outscored Heyfield, booting nine goals to five. Five majors came in the third term as the Wildcats worked tirelessly to position themselves back in the contest and remain in contention of finals.

The resurgence was led by Rob Michaelides and Hank Norman. Kaine Bulmer and Michaelides booting three a piece, but the clock worked against them with the Kangaroos first half lead serving them well.

On Sunday an even team performance from GLENGARRY saw the Magpies claim victory over old foes Gormandale, the win returning the Magpies to the winners list.

Playing to remain in the hunt of a top five finish at the end of the home and away fixture, the Magpies had a contest on their hands with the Tigers leading by a point at quarter time, before trailing by nine points at the long break.

While the Tigers of the opening half of the season may have faulted as the Magpies mounted the pressure after half time, experienced heads of midfielders Brendon Solomon, Luke Hegarty and defender Adam Jaensch rose to the occasion as the home side clawed back to within three points at the final change of ends.

However the Tigers struggled to maintain the intensity thereafter, as Glengarry Robbie Cahill led from the front in an inspiring best on ground performance, Mark Engley and fellow livewire forward Ross McDermott proved a handful for the Tigers defence and Ben Nicholson continued his stellar month form wise.

BY Lauren Carey