ROUND 10 of the South West District Football League’s 2023 season was played on Saturday, with two top flight contenders taking the chance to stamp their authority on the season to this point.

Wins to Coleraine and Cavendish mean that those two sides sit three games clear on top of the ladder, and they now look set to duke it out to see who can claim the minor premiership.

In other matches Dartmoor has given themselves a big leg up in the competition with a resounding win on Saturday.

Darty defeats Saints

Dartmoor has placed itself firmly back within the top three conversation with a 16.15 (111) to 9.3 (57) win over Branxholme-Wallacedale.

It was an important win for a Giants outfit which was at one stage teetering on the brink of being out of finals with four wins after eight rounds, and club president Ryan Childs said it was very pleasing to see the senior side put in a strong performance.

“It was a good game of footy… the field was very boggy, but our boys pushed through and made the most of it,” Childs said.

“Our goal now is to keep that form we’ve been able to create through the final stages of the season as we push for finals.”

Childs said the biggest obstacle to success so far has just been inconsistency in the senior side that has taken the field, due to a variety of injury issues.

“It’s been tough trying to keep a consistent side together… if we’re able to do that we certainly believe we’re capable of serving it up to any side in the competition come finals.”

For the Saints, this result means it’s going to be a very uphill battle for the remainder of the season to push for that fifth spot and a place in the finals.

William Watson, Kaleb Bowd, Jordan Murphy, Jay Ropitini, Mark Cowland and Steve Cameron were the Giants’ best, while the Saints saw strong performances from Colby Hammond, Leigh Ewing, Sam Lambevski, Thomas Scott, Kade McCallum and Damian Monaghan.

Maroons outlast Darras

In a hard-fought encounter, Coleraine was able to stave off Tyrendarra in their clash on Saturday, running out 11.10 (76) to 7.11 (53) winners.

The Maroons took a slim advantage into the first quarter, before the Darras closed the gap in the second to trail by just four points at the main break.

Despite a strong challenge from their opposition, Ryan McClure’s men held strong, extending their lead across both of the last two terms to claim a four-goal win.

Liam Kaine, Samuel Youngman, Cody Deutscher, Ben Deutscher, Brayden Manders and Harry Armstrong were best for the Maroons, while Dylan Murray, Lachlan Kirk, Luke Evans, Josh Atwell, Matthew Hardiman and Christian Marshman played hard for Tyrendarra in spite of the loss.

Cavendish roll Heywood

Cavendish sent another message to the rest of the SWDFL with an emphatic victory over Heywood 16.15 (111) to 1.0 (6).

The Bloods were dominant from start to finish, as they showed just how hard they’re going to be to topple come finals.

It was a disappointing result for the Lions who lost to the Bloods by just eight points back in round three, but nonetheless they remain in a good position to compete for a top three spot.

Jonathon Coghlan, Edward Purvis, Brodhi Carracher, Ben Packman, Harrison Rees and William Luhrs were best for Cavendish, while Heywood got strong performances from Nathan Hardingham, Nyawi Moore, Aaron Johnstone, Jason Walker, Billy Bell and Brad Martin.

Heathmere downs Westerns

Heathmere claimed their second win of the 2023 season on Saturday, defeating Westerns 7.6 (48) to 3.8 (26).

The Meres gained the early ascendancy thanks to a three goal to one first quarter, although Westerns were never too far off the pace, keeping the margin largely within two straight kicks until the final quarter.

Ultimately, the Meres were able to extend their advantage in the fourth to claim a 22-point victory.

With two consecutive close games on the board for Westerns, they’ll be pleased they’ve been able to serve up a contest to their opposition and will be keen for more of the same over the final portion of the season.

Cooper Anson, Luke Driscoll, Jamie Eccles, Matthew Gore, Reece Morris and Cody Driscoll were named in the Meres’ best, while Westerns saw strong performances from Jedd Hamill, James Corbett, Benjamin England, Nicholas Scott, Dylan Marlow and Noah Knight.