Skipton was made to work for it in a contested and low scoring affair, but it managed to get over Waubra by 12 points in the Central Highlands Football League.
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Skipton co-coach Andrew Pitson said once his side opened up the game they got on top.
"It was a real tight contest really, bit of an arm wrestle throughout the game," he said.
"Once we got our bit of run and carry going we sort of broke it open a little bit in the end."
Skipton's top four hopes are alive and well following the 7.9 (51) to 5.9 (39) win.
The Emus started strongly, holding Waubra goalless in the first quarter.
The reigning premiers hit back and took the lead by half-time.
The Emus steadied, however, and in a low scoring affair, kicked four goals to two in the second-half to now sit just outside the top four.
They sit fifth on the ladder, percentage keeping them behind Rokewood-Corindhap (third) and Dunnstown (fourth).
Although in reach, the top four isn't on Pitson's mind just yet.
"Haven't really looked too far ahead to be honest, we've got the bye this week," he said.
"We've got a few tougher ones (on the run home), I think we've got Springbank, Newlyn and Buninyong, so pretty tough run home."
He added that it was the first time Skipton had beaten Waubra since joining the CHFL in 2011.
"Just good for the club, a lot of happy guys around the club that's for sure," he said.
For Waubra, it got through the game injury free but has some stars still on the sidelines.
Ruckman Geordie Lukich missed the game with a hip injury, coach Matt James said he may still be three to four weeks away.
Nick Sullivan missed with a hamstring injury and could miss one to two more games.
William Corbett was stuck in New South Wales, unable to get his negative COVID-19 test result back in time for the game.
Waubra 0.2, 3.7, 3.8, 5.9 (39)
Skipton 2.2, 3.3, 6.8, 7.9 (51)
GOALS, Waubra: W. Green, J. Hallett, A. Murphy, B. McDonald
Skipton: J. Romeril 2, B. Mckimmie, S. Willian, L. Cullinan, J. Peeters, A. McLean
BEST, Waubra: D. Jenkins, J. King, H. Baldwinson, W. Green, S. Youngman, A. McPherson
Skipton: B. Krol, J. Maddock, A. McLean, E. Boyer, B. Thompson, N. Fenby
Buninyong four quarter dominance
Buninyong's stars landed the first punch against Clunes and the Magpies never got off the mat, going down by 163 points.
Caius Barrenger led the way with eight goals, Derick Micallef kicked six and Jarrod Rodgers kicked four as the Bombers won easily 30.12 (192) to 4.5 (29).
Both teams tried to move the ball quick out of the gate, playing on after a mark at every chance to launch an attack as quick and deep inside 50 as possible.
Neither side was able to capitalise early, the final kick inside 50 just a little off.
When the floodgates opened for Buninyong, however, they opened wide.
Clunes never fired a shot as Micallef kicked four first quarter goals, Rodgers snagged two and Luke Cullen kicked three on the way to a 50-point lead at quarter-time.
It grew to 91 points at half-time and 126 points at three-quarter time, Buninyong ruthless in its performance.
Coach Shaun O'Loughlin told The Courier he was impressed with his side's display.
"We were happy. We've been working really hard, our training's been good for probably the last month, been really focused on how we want to play," he said.
"I think we got good reward for that today, the boys from start to finish really worked hard for each other and played with the method that we want to play with."
The loss all but ends Clunes' finals hopes, now outside the top eight with a tough run home.
Injuries to key players Nic (knee) and Thomas Clarke (ankle) didn't help Clunes' fortunes.
Coach Johno Leoncini said Nic is likely to miss the rest of the season.
Ruckman Jack Fenner dislocated his shoulder, Ryan Thompson struggled through the game with a groin injury and Jordan Thomas suffered a quad injury.
Clunes 1.1, 1.2, 3.4, 4.5 (29)
Buninyong 9.3, 15.9, 23.10, 30.12 (192)
GOALS, Clunes: J. Fazio 2, M. Paramonov, R. Thompson
Buninyong: C. Barrenger 8, D. Micallef 6, J. Rodgers 4, L. Cullen 3, J. Atkinson 2, T. Ross 2, L. Stewart 2, L. Rigby, M. Warner, A. Ebery
BEST, Clunes: D. Fazio, N. Luka, A. Thompson, M. Paramonov, J. Thompson , L. Davidson
Buninyong: C. Barrenger, D. Micallef, J. Marshall , H. Donald, L. Cullen, J. Robertson
Towners hit top four with win over Wickers
Dunnstown's in a position where its season's destiny is in its own hands and the Towners did what they needed to, defeating Creswick by 61 points.
Matthew Bullus kicked eight goals in a best-on-ground performance as Dunnstown kicked away 15.16 (106) to 7.3 (45).
Creswick held its own in the opening term, only seven points down at the first break.
A five goal to one second quarter broke the game open, however, and it was smooth sailing for Dunnstown in the second-half.
The win lands the Towners inside the top four for the first time this season following Waubra's 12-point loss to Skipton.
Creswick co-captain Aaron Sedgwick was strong for the Wickers, kicking two goals and named best player for the home side.
Dunnstown finished the game injury free, however, will be hoping to welcome back star forward Scott Howson (hamstring) in the next couple of weeks.
Rylan Rattley suffered a ruptured PCL a couple of weeks ago and could possibly miss the rest of the season.
Creswick 1.0, 2.2, 4.3, 7.3 (45)
Dunnstown 2.1, 7.7, 11.11, 15.16 (106)
GOALS, Creswick: R. Pearson 2, A. Sedgwick 2, L. Blake 2, D. Whitfield
Dunnstown: M. Bulluss 8, R. Adams 2, A. Thompson, B. Cracknell, J. Stefani, K. Forde, C. Ronan
BEST, Creswick: A. Sedgwick, L. Blake, K. Irvan, M. Phillips, J. Antonio, J. Mason
Dunnstown: M. Bulluss, K. Forde, J. Renga, R. Adams
Gordon land biggest win of the season so far
Gordon recorded the biggest win of the CHFL season to date, beating Ballan by 262 points.
Shannon Byrnes enjoyed his best game for the Eagles on the scoreboard, kicking eight goals.
Ashley Munari snagged seven of his own and co-coach Adam Toohey kicked four alongside Jordan Clampit.
13 others hit the scoreboard for the Eagles in a dominant display.
After a seven goal opening term, Gordon kicked 12 in the second quarter, eight in the third and 15 in the fourth to bury the Blues away from home.
The game was played for the Kevin Murphy-Connie Mahar Shield, Connor Ascough winning the best-on-ground medal for his performance.
Ballan 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4 (16)
Gordon 7.13, 19.16, 27.22, 42.26 (278)
GOALS, Ballan: J. Hammond , B. Richie
Gordon: S. Byrnes 8, A. Munari 7, A. Toohey 4, J. Clampit 4, D. Pascoe 3, M. Griffiths 2, C. Ascough 2, Z. Ryan 2, C. Reynolds 2, B. Horsham 2, G. Clifford, R. Clampit, L. Reynolds, C. Elliott, J. Evans, M. Gunnell
BEST, Ballan: H. Bongart, L. Conlan, C. Brown, T. McGregor, H. Thompson, E. Shaw
Gordon: T. Murphy, C. Ascough, C. Elliott, D. Pascoe, I. McCabe, Z. Ryan
Newlyn claim important win
It was a game Newlyn needed to win for its top eight hopes and the Cats delivered, 16-point victors over Learmonth.
Dan Wehrung was superb with six goals as the visitors won 11.11 (77) to 9.7 (61).
Following a five-point lead at quarter-time, Newlyn raced out to a 23-point lead at half-time which is where it stayed for the majority of the game.
Learmonth remained in the contest but couldn't reel in the deficit.
The win gives Newlyn new life in its push for the top eight, climbing to ninth.
It was especially impressive considering star midfielder Myles Sewell was out of the line-up.
Coach Chris Banwell said he injured his lower leg again in the first quarter of the Cats' round 11 loss to Clunes.
Learmonth 2.2, 4.4, 6.5, 9.7 (61)
Newlyn 3.1, 8.3, 9.6, 11.11 (77)
GOALS, Learmonth: J. Walters 3, J. Pratt 2, N. Gittings 2, J. Laidlaw 2
Newlyn: D. Wehrung 6, P. Labbett 2, S. Willmott 2, L. Gunn
BEST, Learmonth: J. Pratt, J. Rae, J. Walters, J. Laidlaw, J. Crilly, J. Rich
Newlyn: W. Carter, J. Willmott, L. Snaith, D. Wehrung, D. Fishwick, J. Greville
Springbank do enough to jump into the top eight
It was made to work for it by a brave Daylesford side, but Springbank did what it needed to do to climb into the top eight, 13-point winners.
Daylesford led at three-quarter time by four points but a three goal to one final term handed the Tigers an 11.13 (79) to 11.0 (66) win.
It was a battle of the key forwards, Stephen Staunton kicking five goals in his return to Springbank's line-up and Scott Hughes kicking seven for Daylesford.
The lead seesawed, Springbank jumping out to a 12-point lead at half-time that was flipped to a four-point lead to Daylesford at the final change.
Staunton was especially important with multiple goals in the last quarter to get Springbank over the line.
The win was a needed one for Springbank as it jumps into the top eight, but the way it won tough will hold the Tigers in good stead come finals time.
For Daylesford, it's the third time in four weeks that it'd led at three-quarter time and lost the game.
Wins in these games spells a very different story for its 2021 season.
It does bode well for the future, the young Dogs clearly playing a strong system under coach Hamish Jarrad.
Some polish is required as they mature as a side to win these close games.
Daylesford 3.0, 6.0, 10.0, 11.0 (66)
Springbank 3.3, 7.6, 8.8, 11.13 (79)
GOALS, Daylesford: S. Hughes 7, J. Cummings 2, T. Hunt, S. Clarke
Springbank: S. Staunton 5, C. Quinlan 2, J. Thompson 2, M. Cronin, S. McKenzie
BEST, Daylesford: C. Peart, J. Whelan, C. Ralph, S. Hughes, J. Pitts, T. Nesbitt
Springbank: S. Staunton, J. Thompson, C. Quinlan, M. Lakey, I. Pertzel, J. Simpson
Bungaree remains in the hunt for the finals
Bungaree faces an up hill battle to make the top eight but with wins like today over Carngham-Linton, the finals remain a chance.
The Demons kept the Saints to one goal after quarter-time on their way to a 18.21 (129) to 3.4 (22) win.
It was an even contribution for Bungaree, five players kicking multiple goals and another four adding singles.
The Demons remain outside the top eight but the win gives them a chance to challenge for a spot in the coming weeks.
Coach Ryan Waight said his side got through the game injury free, especially important with Waubra, Skipton, Springbank and Newlyn to come to finish the Demons' season.
Carngham-Linton 2.1, 3.1, 3.4, 3.4 (22)
Bungaree 5.4, 9.11, 15.15, 18.21 (129)
GOALS, Carngham-Linton: L. Isbister, K. Raven, J. Foley
Bungaree: J. Butler 5, J. Walter 3, L. Prendergast 2, B. Veale 2, A. Milroy 2, D. Murphy, B. Willian, D. Morris, J. Oostendorp
BEST, Carngham-Linton: K. Raven, W. Bruty, M. Lange, J. O''Brien, D. O''Brien, T. Clarke
Bungaree: B. Veale, J. Walter, J. Butler, J. Hower, J. Werts, A. Gillett
Rokewood-Corindhap bounce back strong
With a light fog hovering over the Rokewood-Corindhap surface, the Grasshoppers played four dominant quarters to hand Beaufort a 120-point loss.
11 goals to two in the first-half represented what the day was going to be like for the Crows, Rokewood-Corindhap going onto win 22.20 (152) to 5.2 (32).
Grasshoppers co-coach Brad Macgowan said he was pleased with his side's performance.
"We were happy, we felt like we moved the ball really effectively," he said.
Beaufort is the fourth side Rokewood-Corindhap has beaten this season that it had never previously defeated since joining the CHFL in 2011.
Waubra, Buninyong and Bungaree were the other three.
The Grasshoppers ability to compete and beat these top sides is a key reason for their rise up the ladder.
With Waubra falling to Skipton, Rokewood-Corindhap now jump into third spot on the CHFL ladder and stand a great chance to lock that position up with a favorable run home.
Hepburn, Creswick, Ballan and Clunes are to come, three of those expected wins, the clash with the Burra a great test.
"We know that this game's (Hepburn) really important for the top four," Macgowan said.
"We understand that they're the favourites, but for us, we're excited to have a crack at them."
Rokewood-Corindhap 7.5, 11.12, 18.15, 22.20 (152)
Beaufort 1.0, 2.0, 4.1, 5.2 (32)
GOALS, Rokewood-Corindhap: J. Carr 4, J. Buttler 3, M. Brehaut 2, J. Bragagnolo 2, S. Carr 2, M. Aikman 2, M. McLaughlin, A. Gray, B. Harris, T. Fagg, J. Grant, C. Richardson, S. Worden
Beaufort: J. Orr 2, S. Christopher, C. Mahony, L. Cox
BEST, Rokewood-Corindhap: B. Harris, L. Philp, J. Buttler, S. Carr, L. Withers, S. Worden
Beaufort: D. Day, R. Zelencich, C. Mahony, C. Smith, J. Vanderkley, S. Christopher
Ladder
Gordon, 9-0, 36 pts, 100 per cent of games won
Hepburn, 7-1-1, 30 pts, 83.33 per cent of games won
Rokewood-Corindhap, 7-3, 28 pts, 70 per cent of games won
Dunnstown, 7-3, 28 pts, 70 per cent of games won
Skipton, 7-3, 28 pts, 70 per cent of games won
Waubra, 6-3, 24 pts, 66.67 per cent of games won
Buninyong, 6-3, 24 pts, 66.67 per cent of games won
Springbank, 6-4, 24 pts, 60 per cent of games won
Newlyn, 5-4, 20 pts, 55.56 per cent of games won
Clunes, 5-4, 20 pts, 55.56 per cent of games won
Bungaree, 5-5, 20 pts, 50 per cent of games won
Learmonth, 3-6, 12 pts, 33.33 per cent of games won
Daylesford, 2-7-1, 10 pts, 25 per cent of games won
Creswick, 2-8, 8 pts, 20 per cent of games won
Beaufort, 1-8, 4 pts, 11.11 per cent of games won
Ballan, 1-8, 4 pts, 11.11 per cent of games won
Carngham-Linton, 0-9, 0 pts, 0.00 per cent of games won
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