Nangwarry v Kongorong Nangwarry coach Shane Raymond has finally broken his duck as his Saints triumphed at home over Kongorong by 26 points.
It was not enough to lift Nangwarry off the foot of the premiership table but it was the third consecutive week the team has managed a double-digit number of goals.
Coming into the match, there was every chance the Kongorong Hawks may have had their colours lowered by the Nangwarry Saints for the first time in almost a decade.
After all, the Saints were playing on their home deck and ruckman Joe Pudney and co-captain Andrew Hyland were in stellar form.
Hyland booted six goals and took his season’s tally to 28 and top place among the MSEFL goalkickers.
This is a remarkable achievement as his side has only won one game.
The Saints’ first win of the 2023 season was not “in the bag” until late in the last quarter.
The match was tight until then with three points separating the teams at quarter time, all tied up at the long break and one point at the last change.
After the bye this weekend, Nangwarry heads to the seaside at Robe while Kongorong hosts Tantanoola.
Robe v Mount Burr Robe is on target to win its first flag since 2018 as it returned to the head of the Mid South East Football League premiership table on Saturday.
It accounted for the third-placed home team at Mick and Jean Walker Oval at Mount Burr in round eight by 16 points.
It was one consolation for Mount Burr that its renowned defence kept the ladder leader to a modest 10 majors.
The Roosters are set to finish the first half of the season with an unblemished record as they are slotted to play the bottom team at Nangwarry on June 17.
Coming into this match, the form of visiting ruckman/forward Hamish Smith was judged to be a deciding factor in the contest.
The journeyman had spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons with the Mozzies and booted 66 goals last season.
Smith had booted 16 goals in six games this season but he did not play on Saturday.
The Roosters were able to recall coach Nathan Brown from the injured list and he topped the goalkickers for his team with three goals.
Due to the bye for the King’s Birthday holiday long weekend and their scheduled bye, the Mozzies have a mid-season siesta lasting three weeks.
They next play at home on June 24 against Nangwarry.
Tantanoola v Glencoe Glencoe drove up the Mile Hill Road on Saturday after their annual visit to Tigerland without the Neil Von Duve Memorial Shield in their keeping.
The trophy honours the memory of the respected Tantanoola and Glencoe player and MSEFL umpire who died 15 years ago.
The result was a just reward for the Tigers who won all four quarters while the Murphies continue to lack consistency.
The result was welcomed by the members of the 1973 A Grade premiership team and the 2013 B Grade premiership team who were having a reunion on their home ground.
In round nine, Kalangadoo visits Glencoe and does battle for the Max Matthews Memorial Cup.
It is also the day when the Murphies honour members of five of their premiership teams dating back to the 1950s.
Tantanoola heads south to Kongorong on June 17.
Kalangadoo v Hatherleigh Kalangadoo recalled the “heavy artillery” to ensure it won the replay of the 2022 grand final on its home ground against Hatherleigh.
New coach Al Lyon and past Mail medallist Jack Casey both had yet to play a game this season but their impact was immediate and decisive.
In a match where the difference was only eight points, Casey and Lyon combined to boot a total of seven goals.
The Eagles could not encounter the two key returning players with their height, strength, skill and experience.
The pair are vital to the Magpies making a successful premiership success for the first time in 40 years.
The victory provided Kalangadoo with the bragging rights as well as a ticket into the top four.
Hatherleigh has been bundled out of the top four.
Kalangadoo meets arch rival Glencoe in round nine while Hatherleigh hosts Port MacDonnell which will have had the benefit of a three-week break from the playing arena.
