Round 8 of the Bendigo Bank Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League saw the two big teams in Lucindale and Mundulla come face to face.
This was the showcase game of the weekend and a blistering pace was set in the first half as the rivals piled on a combined 16 goals.
The fans would have been loving the goal-fest and enjoyed the early advantage Mundulla led by 12-points at the long break.
Lucindale took over the scoring in the second half and despite kicking 2.11 managed to hold Mundulla to just 1.2 which enabled the Roos to fall over the line by three points and push 10 points clear on top of the ladder.
Josh Trembath and Sam Williams led the goal kicking for the Roos with two each, while James Hinge kicked five majors and was helped out by Jake McGrice in front of goal as he added three with the Tigers falling short of the Roos.
Naracoorte held on by seven points against a fighting Border Districts to push a game clear of the chasing pack in fifth position on the ladder.
The Demons led by three goals at half time and were able to get across the line as the Eagles could not convert their chances in the second half.
Borders kicked 4.6 to 3.1 in the second half and would be disappointed they could not convert in front of goal better.
Aaron Slorach and Rory Taggert combined as a goal-kicking duo to get the Demons across the Line.
Slorach kicked five and Taggert three as they combined for eight of the Demons 10 goals.
Jamie Bettoncelli, Keenan Jacobs and Sam Thomson were named as Naracoorte’s best players.
Mark Quinn and Nick Schild kicked two goals each for the Eagles in a hard-fought effort for the side.
Kybybolite won its second game in the past three attempts to pull to within a game of the top five after winning on the road against a slumping Bordertown.
The Tigers got the jump on the Roosters in the first quarter before the Bordertown fought back in the second to be only 10 points behind at the main break.
The Tigers were able to get a three-goal lead in the third quarter and held on until the final siren went Stephen Craig was outstanding with six goals.
Tyler Harris kicked three as well as the Tigers came away with the win with Tom Kitschke, Jack McKay and Stephen Craig also among the best players.
A slow start and bad kicking at goal cost Kingston from having a bigger win against a plucky Penola team at McCorquindale Park on the weekend.
The Saints kicked 0.8 in the first quarter as the home side kicked 3.2 and the Eagles held a 12-point lead at quarter time.
Kingston then took control of the game as they kicked 15.16 to 3.4 in the last three quarters to record the win and stay one victory clear of fifth place.
Todd Lockwood kicked four goals and James Siviour kicked three as they led a Saints charge in front of goal.
The Eagles found it hard to find a dominating scoring force as all seven majors were individual kickers. Bradley Merrett, Zac Deane and Bradley Bryant were Penola’s better players.
Keith won its fourth game in a row to stay in the top three as they easily took care of Padthaway by 76 points.
Daniel Bibby was strong for the Crows in front of goal with five goals and he enjoyed the services of George Johnson and Billy Wade who helped the Crows get the win with three goals each.
Will Rivers was the only Lions player who could get multiples as he kicked two goals.
Nathan McCarthy, Thomas Edwards and Will Rivers were Padthaway’s best players.
Round 9 provides some interesting season games as Padthaway hosts Bordertown in what is shaping up as a season-defining game for both.
Bordertown started the season with so much promise when they beat Kingston and had a draw against Mundulla, but since then their form has dropped away as they have lost their last four games.
The Lions on the other hand have shown if they have their best team on the park, they can mix it with the better teams like Mundulla who they beat.
Penola faces the daunting task of a road trip to meet reigning premier Mundulla.
