The First Grade fixture topped off the day in a one-sided affair in favor of the visitors, enabling the Bushies to return to Bathurst 3-0 for the afternoon.

But the previous two games could have just as easily gone the Saints’ way with the two games having officials from both clubs praising their ability and skills in high class matches.

The Under 18s kicked the day off with an end-to-end classic which left all supporters and coaching staff on the edge of their seats all four quarters.

The Saints turned their form around from the previous week when the Bushies trounced a hapless Young but the Saints let their opposition know what a difference a week makes.

Young trailed by 11 at quarter time and 16 points by the main break until a half time rev-up saw them lift a gear and outscore Bathurst by 31 points to 12 points to lead by three going into the last period.

As with every period of this game the last quarter was “you go we go” and it was end-to-end footy at its best with the Bushies executing points better than Young to run out fulltime winners, 59-49.

Again the senior lads led by example and couldn’t really be faulted, but the three best last week went to Brodie Harmer-Clark, Jake Davis and Brandon Sanderson.

QT - Saints 1-2-8, ‘Rangers 3-1-19.

HT - Saints 2-4-16, ‘Rangers 5-2-32.

QT - Saints 7-5-47, ‘Rangers 7-2-44.

FT - Saints 7-7-49, ‘Rangers 9-5-59.

Goalkickers - Jayden Pennell 3, and one each to Jake Davis, Conah Wilder, Matt Knight and Hamish Gledhill.

The women’s team played their second game on the weekend against the Bushrangers once again, and what a great game it was to watch.

You could see great improvement and dedication from all the girls and especially our younger girls standing out on the field putting 100 per cent into their game.

The girls went into the week with hard training and the hope to get a closer margin to the Bathurst side, and that’s exactly what they achieved.

Despite going down by 39 points the Saints still left the field with their heads held high as they were proud of themselves for reaching a better outcome.

The girls will focus on training hard with a bye this weekend and hope to have a win over Cowra in their next home game.

QT - Saintees 1-0-6, ‘Rangers 1-1-7.

HT - Saintees 1-0-6, ‘Rangers 4-4-28.

QT - Saintees 1-3-9, ‘Rangers 7-6-48.

FT - Saintees 1-4-10, ‘Rangers 7-7-49.

Goalkickers - Paige Poulton.

The First Grade side ran into a Bushrangers Outlaw outfit that had it all on Saturday.

They played with commitment and great skill, and for four quarters near perfect teamwork.

At the same time the Saints also had dogged commitment towards the ball and each other, but a lack of senior players replaced by inexperienced players made life a little more than difficult. 

In no means were these new players embarrassed, nor should they be, and if the willingness shown by them at training this week is anything to go by then the Saints should be in good hands and be able to improve over the season to cause a couple of major upsets and push the higher teams to the limit. 

The new leaders of the Saints First Grade were announced and neither one took a backward step on Saturday and led from the front.

New captain Kai Frame received the Stewarts Jewellers players player award and vice captain Cameron Hobbs not far out of the mix.

Brent Blythe made a solid return to senior footy and put in a masterful utility performance.

Once again this week the seniors had to rely on the ever reliable Under 18s to fill some positions.

Brayden Harmer-Clark featured in the top three and he is going to be a major player for AFL seniors in years to come, while Jayden Pennell and Hamish Gledhill kicked all the Saints’ goals between them.

QT - Saints 0-4-4, ‘Rangers 8-2-50.

HT - Saints 1-4-10, ‘Rangers 15-10-100.

QT - Saints 3-4-22, ‘Rangers 22-16-148.

FT - Saints 4-4-28, ‘Rangers 28-23-191.

Goalkickers - Jayden Pennell and Hamish Gledhill two goals each.

Tomorrow the Saintees have the bye, while the Under 18s play at 10.30am against Cowra in Cowra.

In something new the seniors will be taking on the much-fancied Parkes Panthers under lights in Parkes from 6.30pm in last years now defunct Reserve Grade grand final replay.

Good luck to both teams tomorrow and go the Saints!