Pimpinio tops the Horsham District Football Netball League senior ladder after two rounds, dispatching Taylors Lake in a hard-fought contest on Saturday.

The Tigers rode the momentum of a six-goal third term to win 16.15 (111) to 10.11 (71) in front of their home crowd, with veteran midfielder Matt Rosier turning in a best-on-ground performance for the second straight week.

While Nick Groves and Dylan Bates were Pimpinio’s primary avenues to goal in the team’s first-round win against Edenhope-Apsley, the Tigers favoured a more balanced approach at the weekend with nine individual goal kickers – led by Dimboola recruit Tom O’Dwyer’s three.

Also firing for Pimpinio were Cullen Williams and Jason Westley, while for the Lakers it was Logan Millar, Thomas Clugston and Billy Finnigan.

Despite opening its account 0-2, Taylors Lake looks a much improved side from the one that finished last season 4-12 with a percentage of 54.

The Lakers have been competitive despite a difficult early draw – a draw that gets no easier as they host Swifts after the Easter break.

The Baggies also won their second game of the season and sit just 0.06 percentage points behind Pimpinio in second place after downing Edenhope-Apsley 22.14 (146) to 11.8 (74) on Saturday.

Swifts were ruthless from the start, kicking five goals to none in the first term, with the Saints’ eight-goal third quarter burst proving too little, too late.

Following the off-season departure of star full forward Paul Summers, it was Jordan Motton who emerged as a spearhead for the Baggies with seven goals, as onballers Chris Freeman and co-coach Ryan Folkes accrued plenty of possession.

Saint centre half back James Puschmann tried to stem the flow of goals and kept opponent Angus Murray quiet, while Adam Hood provided a conduit to attack, where Ryan Obst kicked four goals.

The Saints are still in search of their first win as they prepare to host a Kaniva-Leeor United outfit full of confidence after downing Natimuk United at the weekend.

Both teams were remarkably accurate in the first half, kicking only two behinds between them, but it was the Cougars who generated more scoring opportunities to hold off the Rams for an 18.5 (113) to 15.5 (95) win.

Big man Jacob Eats showed why he was such a highly prized off-season acquisition for the Cougars with 10 goals, as his brother Lochie and Dylan Collis chimed in for three apiece while midfielder Sam Vivian thrived off the strong ruckwork of Hamish Bennett.

For the beaten Rams, it was youngsters Archie Sudholz, who kicked three goals, and Bailey Brennan who shone the brightest. Natimuk United faces another daunting challenge after the Easter break, taking on a Noradjuha-Quantong outfit that demolished Rupanyup in its first game of the season.

Key forward Judah Hobbs booted eight goals in the Bombers’ 27.12 (174) to 6.4 (40) win, but it was Jye Walter, who this season returned to the club after a two-year stint with Minyip-Murtoa, who nabbed best afield honours with five goals.

Defender Daniel Weetra was a standout for the Panthers for their second straight game, but apart from a four-goal haul to centre half forward Blake Turner, the team struggled to generate consistent scores.

The match of the round saw reigning Harrow-Balmoral stave off Laharum after the Demons led by a point at quarter time.

The skill of Cody Deutscher proved the difference in the match, with the rangy utility’s eight-goal haul giving the Roos a 13.9 (87) to 8.15 (63) win, with Laharum left to rue its inaccuracy.

Co-coach Robbie Miller was the best for the Demons in the midfield, with defender Will Miller and ruckman Ryan Thomas also impressive.

Two club stalwarts celebrated milestones for the Roos, with defender Dalton Burns playing his 200th senior game and Anthony Close his 150th.

Round three sees the Roos travel to play Kalkee, fresh from a bye, while the Demons take on Pimpinio at Cameron Oval in a rematch of last season’s elimination final.

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