The rise and rise of the St Mary's women's side has continued with the Women's Premier League Saints recording a seventh-straight win in their Round 11 clash with Southern Districts at Fred's Pass.
Saints won by 52 points in heatwave conditions at Norbuilt Oval, with Billie Byers doing her NTFL representative chances no harm with four quarters of hard-running football out of the middle and spearhead Kaitlyn Armstrong kicking six goals.
Districts stayed with their opponents until the third quarter until an eight-goal to one last half opened the game up for the visitors.
Saints assistant coach Ryan Smith, standing in for incumbent Paul Magher, said the third quarter had been the turning point when Tikesa Docherty-Cole and new recruit Macie Brown stepped up to the mark.
Billy Byers' work through the midfield and Armstrong's appetite for goals were other big plusses. "The big plus for us this season is when the players turn up on matchdays with a great attitude and setting a new culture around the club that has made a big difference on the field,'' Smith added.
Districts were best served by four-goal forward Sophie Berry and Maddy Radmussen as Greg West's side continues to rebuild.
Ladder leaders PINT were always in charge against an enthusiastic Tiwi Bombers side at Marrara Cricket Ground.
The Queenants won their 10th game in a row to remain unbeaten with one round left until the Christmas break, testimony to the side's playing depth and ability to combine as a team. Jahla Hunt continued her prolific season with another best on ground performance out of the middle, setting up several forward moves by hand and foot.
Key defender Erin Hetherington did not let the breeze at DXC Arena get past her and Steph Lawrence's three goals at full forward were invaluable in the context of a low-scoring game.
Last season's grand finalists Nightcliff won its third game in a row when they held off a stern challenge from beachside rivals Waratah by a single point at Gardens Oval.
The Tigers were jumped by a lively Waratah in the first quarter when they trailed by two goals at the first lemon break.
Nightcliff's hard working defence and big games from half back Sophie Hatzismalis, midfielder Maighan Fogas and big marking forward Mickayla Ward turned the game into a close contest in the remaining three terms
The Tigers worked their way to a one-point lead at the last change after a decisive three-goal to on third quarter, a margin they held to the final siren when both sides kicked 1.2 in a frantic last term.
Coach Shannon Millar was pleased her side's poise when in possession in a game where both defences were on top.
"In tight games it's always good to have that composure in tight games and the girls showed a lot of maturity this time,'' she said.
Stephanie O'Brien and Tarryn O'Hehir were the best for a Waratah side without injured stars Lisa Roberts, Annabel Kievit and Jenna Singh.
Palmerston staged a tremendous second half recovery to beat Wanderers at TIO Stadium on Saturday night.
The Magpies looked down and out at half time before holding the Eagles scoreless in the last half while booting four goals themselves.
Mesapa Frank and Talia McMasters led from the front in the Magpies' 6.5 (41) to 5.2 (32) win that moved them to within two games of the top five.
