JUNIOR Western Border football was spread out across the Limestone Coast on Saturday with round three matches played in both Mount Gambier and Millicent.
The two leading Under 18 sides flexed their muscles at the top of the ladder with a pair of commanding victories.
The Saints continued their flawless 2020 record against North Gambier at McLaughlin Park where Millicent was hardly troubled and only conceded one goal in the first half.
North slipped 57 points behind the home team before the main break, before it managed to slow the bleeding for the remainder of the game.
However, it could not stop the Saints from storming towards a 77-point victory.
Stuart Dickenson was the top performer for Millicent, while Jaxon Cushion was also prominent with a four-goal haul.
Jacob Arthurson was North’s best player.
East Gambier provided little resistance to a South Gambier onslaught at McDonald Park.
The Bulldogs could only manage one goal in the entire match which came off the boot of Kaiya Gale.
That small breakthrough was the only element which stopped the Demons from a triple-figure victory after they sprinted away thanks to Ryan Kuhl and Deegan Vasilios Holland who bagged four and three majors respectively.
Oscar Adams and Joel Duncan shone brightly to help South stroll to the commanding 106-8 win.
Under constant pressure, Oliver Miles stood tall in the backline to be named the top dog.
West Gambier had the week off in Under 18’s, while the three games on the Under 16’s fixture were much more competitive.
Millicent and North went blow-for-blow in a match dictated by the wind.
The Saints enjoyed a flying start with the breeze and raced to a 27-point lead by the opening break.
After a scoreless first term, the Tigers bounced back before failing to hit the scoreboard again in the third quarter.
North trailed by 22 points at the final break and closed to within seven with the wind, but Millicent held on to win.
Nicholas Joy impressed for the winners and Kalan Shanks was the only Saint to kick more than one goal.
South White secured the bragging rights over West Gambier on home turf.
The Demons controlled the battle after a close first quarter, but the Roos kept the hosts honest all day.
Eventually South White prevailed by 18 points led by Lachlan Broome.
Luke Winterfield kicked four goals for the Demons, while Reece Cowling collected three for the visitors.
South Red travelled to McDonald Park and took home the chocolates against East Gambier.
The Demons raced out of the blocks in the first quarter before the home team replied in the second term.
The Bulldogs stumbled after half time as South Red claimed a 35-point win.
Mitchell Harrold collected two goals and best-on-ground honours for the victors, while East was led by Harlon Puhara.
