Ladder logjam tightens up
NYORA overcame Yarragon in a low scoring scrap, as the mid-table logjam tightened following round seven of Ellinbank District football.
Coming into the match the underdog, the Saints were able to hold a narrow advantage throughout on the way to winning 6-7 (43) to 2-7 (19).
Having gone down narrowly in a recent shootout with Longwarry, a different style prevailed in wintry conditions as the Saints this time finished to the good in a dour defensive affair.
The visitors scored the only goal of a dour first quarter, taking a narrow four-point lead into the first change.
Nyora made its move in the second term, adding three goals to one to push out to 19-point advantage at the long break.
The arm wrestle resumed in the third term, each side booting one-goal to see the Panthers still with a glimmer of hope at the final change, trailing by 20 points.
The Saints would kick the only major of the final term to breathe some life into their season.
Jesse Heylen, Max Mattock, Jack Rosenow, Dylan Heylen, Connor Thompson and Jordan Anderson helped the Saints hold off the opposition.
Keeping the Panthers in the contest were Joshawa Vosper, Trav Davis, Tyler Payroli, Liam Smith Butterworth and Harrison Griffiths.
Just four points now separate the fifthplaced Yarragon from ninth-placed Nyora, the Panthers letting their percentage slip below 100.
BULN BULN continued its winning way, comfortably accounting for Nilma-Darnum 13-19 (97) to 5-3 (33).
The Lyrebirds kicked four goals to one to open an early lead, but it wasn't without showings of faith for the future for the Bombers, two goals apiece keeping the home side in the contest.
Buln Buln would respond, adding seven goals to two as they controlled much of the contest.
Shaun Beecroft proved somewhat of an unexpected target, finishing with five goals. Mitch Nobelius, Matthew Gray, Brendan Wall, Daniel Axford and Lachlan Axford were also among the best.
The Bombers were best served by Sebastian Crowle, Nathan Campbell, Nick Carrigy, Oakley Addison, Oxley Huson and Blake Cann.
ELLINBANK continued its charge with a big win over Longwarry, 15-11 (101) to 2-11 (23).
The Eagles booted six goals to nil in the opening term and controlled the contest from there, despite the scoring slowing.
Shaun Phelan booted five goals with Rylan Smith, Bryce Joyce, Liam Anderson, Ryan Atherton, Jake Harper and Daniel Pratt also leading the charge.
Longwarry's best were Cooper Brown, Luke Clarkson, Liam Kirkman, Darren Granger, Adam Barton and Christian Borgonovo.