BOISDALE-Briagolong recorded its first home win since round five after a 16-point victory over Woodside.
In the closest match of the round in North Gippsland football, the two sides fought out a tough battle with the Wildcats having the upper hand in the first quarter before the Bombers opened the game up in the second, Ben Plozza and John Saunders among the goals.
Neither side was able to shake off one another in the third quarter, as they both kicked 2.4.
The Bombers held sway in the final term to win 7.12 (54) to 5.8 (38).
Winston Gieschen was in match-winning form with Plozza and ruckman Don Veale notable performers.
SECOND-placed Churchill came away from its first match at Cowwarr for two seasons with a 10-goal victory.
As the rain tumbled in the opening minutes of the match, neither side was able to dispose of the ball cleanly.
After the Saints kicked the opening goal, Leigh McDonald responded quickly from 40 metres out for the visitors.
The Saints trailed by three points after an error-laden first quarter in which both sides struggled to adapt to the difficult, wet and windy conditions.
Churchill kicked three goals early in the second term to create a valuable buffer, considering the conditions.
Nathan McDonald added another goal as the Cougars began to take control of the game.
Congestion around the ground didn't halt Leigh McDonald and Daniel Hawking, who combined for the Cougars' fifth consecutive major.
Churchill's confidence continued to grow as best-on-ground Travis Brighton opened his goal account.
Cowwarr rallied after half-time, slotting two quick majors through Robbie Ferguson and Steve Cooper. The Saints out-scored the visitors in the third term.
A late flurry of goals in the final quarter extended Churchill's margin as it won 14.13 (97) to 5.7 (37).
Churchill's Lee Kelly and Leigh McDonald relished in the conditions while Matt Learmonth, Lee Cooper and Brad Frost were among the Saints' better players.
GORMANDALE regained a spot in the top five after overcoming Stratford by 76 points.
Marking former coach Wayne Henry's 150th game, the Tigers adjusted well to the conditions early and outfoxed the Swans to boot away to a 19-point lead at the first break.
The second term was a torrid affair as the Tigers made the most of their scoring opportunities with Steve Burgess leading the charge.
The home side continued the trend with two more goals in the third quarter to Stratford's one behind to take a 45-point lead into the final change before coasting home, 12.15 (87) to 1.5 (11).
There were plenty of stand-outs for the home side, including Bobby Pacunskis, Luke Hegarty and Lee Renton, while Burgess finished with four goals.
Nick Farley was again outstanding for Stratford, while Ryan O'Keefe had an impact.
GLENGARRY'S finals aspirations were extinguished by the ladder-leader Heyfield, who trounced the Magpies by 12 goals.
The Kangaroos found the heavy conditions under foot to their liking, holding the visitors to two points in the first term with defenders Trent Anderson and Andrew Lambie among the play early.
The Magpies kicked their first goal in the second term through Vincent O'Mara, while the Kangaroos, led by Brett Szabo in front of goal, continued to move ahead.
The result was decided by the long break with the home side taking a 39-point lead into the change.
It was all Heyfield in the second half as it kicked six unanswered goals to run home a comfortable 74-point victor, 13.8 (86) to 1.6 (12).
Stuart Anderson played a brilliant game for Heyfield, Justin Cox was prominent down back while Szabo was the catalyst in the forward line.
Dean Brooks led the Magpies in a tireless performance with coach Matt Adams and Rory Jennings among the better performers.
ROSEDALE remains in contention for a finals berth following an impressive performance against Traralgon-Tyers United.
Trailing by 15 points at the first change, the Blues rallied in the second to boot six goals to one and take a 20-point lead into half-time.
The momentum continued to favour the visitors after the break, boasting eight scoring shots to two as they drew the margin out to 41 points.
Rosedale's Justin Emery provided plenty of drive through the midfield, Gerard Barnes was creative, while Daryl Mayman was a solid contributor in their side's 51-point victory, 14.16 (100) to 7.7 (49).
The win elevating the Blues to sixth position, equal with Gormandale, whose superior position sees it sit in the five.
Greg Booth was named best-on-ground for the Bombers with Chris Buckley a stand-out in his 200th club game and Adam Brady also rising to the occasion in his 100th.
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