The Saints improved on their previous two encounters in which were two losses at home.

And improve they did, but not by narrowing the final result, but by turning it around and defeating their arch rivals.

The Saints hit the ground running and for the first time this season dominated four quarters of football.

This had a lot to do with the half back line who continually put their side on the front foot by turning back many Bushie raids towards goal.

Brayden Harmer-Clark put in his usual bash and barge game while reading the play brilliantly, enabling the Saints to push forward.

Brayden’s combination with the returning Brady LeStrange, who looked like he hadn’t been away from the side in the first half of the season, showed great natural play and was a pleasure to witness.

In the middle the rucking of Hamish Gledhill was a standout because the lad is learning the position well and tapped the ball to his support in the form of LeStrange and Jack DeBritt at will and ease.

Jack had a fantastic game and probably did more running over four terms last week than the previous three games combined, and showed great poise in his delivery to the forwards and confidence not seen this season kicking at goal.

Matthew Knight at full forward had a strong game and with some more coaching will become an extremely reliable frontman.

Captain Jarrod Pope led the way and his leadership task week was a major attribution towards the boys breaking through the pain barrier and pushing on towards the victory they so deservedly earned. 

Jarrod was the recipient of the Young Car Wash best on ground, and the Subway second and third were Jack DeBritt and Brady LeStrange.

“Coach Ray Martin asked the boys to play for one another, and they did, he asked for composure and they used it - that was the most pleasing thing about the win,” club representative Geoff Harmer said.

“Ray wanted them to communicate over the whole game and the talk didn’t stop, so it was really rewarding for him as coach and the lads as a team to see it all pay off.”

The side will be tested over the next couple of games as full forward, Knight, and ruckman, Gledhill, head overseas for sporting and humanitarian commitments respectfully.

“That’s two important positions to fill, but Ethan Silk returns, as do another two or three who have the experience, so hopefully the boys push up the ladder to a higher position and stay on the front foot,” Harmer said.

The 18s have a bye tomorrow while the seniors travel to Parkes to take on the Panthers.

“Last week Parkes beat the top of the table Bushrangers, and the previous week saw the Saints defeat Bathurst, so tomorrow’s match should be an absolute cracker,” Harmer said.

“I’m sure if we play as we did two weeks ago we can get the lollies.”

Match results:

Q1 - Young 3-4-22, Bathurst 2-2-14.

Q2 - Young 7-6-48, Bathurst 4-4-28.

Q3 - Young 10-10-70, Bathurst 6-6-42.

FT - Young 13-10-88, Bathurst 10-9-69.

Goal kickers: Matthew Knight 4, Jack DeBritt 4, Hamish Gledhill 4 and Jarrod Pope 1.