Sealing their second straight victory in as many weeks COWWARR have firmed their hold on a late charge to September action with the Saints 45 point victory over Glengarry elevating the side back into the five.

Contested in wet and wild wintery conditions it was the Saints that settled early with the visitors four goal to one term setting the tone for the remainder of the contest. With the match a must win for the Saints, the visitors hit the man and ball hard early as they bullied the reigning premiers into second guessing themselves as they dictated play on their terms.

Leading by three straight kicks at the first change the second term was a dogged affair with neither side able to have an impact on the scoreboard. The premiership term wasn't any easier the Saints adding a further major to their tally, with the Magpies held goal less for a second term in what was a low scoring contest.

Able to break the shackles as the rain cleared the Saints slammed home four goals to one, to record their seventh win of the season.

Best served by coach Luke Cooper the Saints were sublime in the wet and heavy conditions under foot, with youngster Kyle Stamers again a livewire in front of goals finishing the match with three. Pat Tainsh continued his solid form of the past month, with his impact in the midfield and when pushing forward clinical in setting up the Saints forwards.

Boisdale/Briagolong could little to counteract the hardness and fleet footed running brigade of HEYFIELD who built on their half time lead with a six goal to one premiership term which guided the visitors to a 138 point victory, 23.15 (153) to 2.3 (15).

Nic Dinsdale continued his impressive form in a best on ground performance; Cal Egan, Mitch Dowse and Joel Dinsdale were explosive in front of goals the trio booting four majors apiece while the experienced pair of Kodie and Jack Woodland showed why they are quality players.

For the home side Danny Pratt was a standout, with Alec Munro and Nicol Sandison solid contributors.

For the second week running the Yarram Demons were delivered a body blow this time around from neighbours and rivals WOODSIDE, who leapt frogged their rivals who fell from fifth to seventh on the premiership ladder standings.

Coming into the contest out played the week prior by Churchill, the Wildcats hit their straps early with Justin Staley commanding attention by the Demons defenders with the forward on song booting a match defining eight majors.

Skipping away with a handy 11 point lead at quarter time, the Wildcats had to contend with a fired up Demon outfit who outplayed the visitors to reverse a deficit into a eight point lead at half time coach Grif Underwood and Corbin Sutherland making the most of their chances in front of goal.

With their finals hopes hinging on the results of the remaining rounds of the season the Demons returned from the long break flatfooted as they felt the raft of Staley and Tom Love who lit up the forward line the Wildcats slamming home six majors to two in a tough physical term.
Down by 17 points, the going didn't get any easier in the final term the home side registering a mere behind as their neighbours Woodside booted away to record the honours for the second time this season against Yarram by 39 points, 15.11 (101) to 9.8 (62).

Woodside's Staley impressed, Shane Kilgower and Damien Kerr also battled hard.

For the home side, Underwood firmed his hold on the clubs best and fairest award with another best on ground performance, with forward Sutherland adding two to his season tally of 41.

CHURCHILL proved too classy for opponents Gormandale with the Cougars notching recording their seventh straight victory by a barnstorming 152 points.

Highlighting the trip to Gaskin Park as "one of the hardest road trips" on the fixture, Tiger coach Luke Henderson was under no illusions the enormity of the task ahead of his chargers who struggled to match the intensity of the second ranked side.

Establishing a 35 point lead at the first change, the Cougars second term blew the lead out to 64 points at the long change. The second term was as one sided as the first, Churchill slamming home 15 goals to two boosting their percentage significantly for the second week in a row.

The attack in front of goals came from Brad Knowles (five), Andrew Brown (four) and Nic Celima (three), the trio among 12 individual goal scorers. Best on ground honours went to Travis Brighton who made light pickings of the Tigers midfield and was aided by his partner in crime Brandon Mahoney who had the ball on a string amassing possessions while Knowles was a standout in front of goal.

Missing several key players from their line-up didn't aid the Tigers chances in knocking over the inform side of the competition, with Matt Sheridan and defender Steve Burgess competitive all afternoon.

By Lauren Carey