The Lakers bounced back from a disappointing weekend to clinch the 11.10 (76) to 6.17 (53) victory at Ironbark Stadium.
A dour opening term yielded just nine points for each side, yet Nagambie managed to hit the scoreboard hard in the second quarter, opening up a 22-point lead at the half courtesy of a five-goal-to-one quarter.
The margin was pushed beyond five goals after another strong showing in the third, with the Lakers once again outscoring the Tigers, although not to the same effect as in the second term, yet it was enough to enjoy a 63-32 lead at the final change.
However, Rushworth didn’t go quietly, peppering the goals with 11 scoring shots in the fourth quarter to Nagambie’s three. But a wildly inaccurate return of 2.9 made little impact on the scoreboard, as the Lakers claimed victory number 10 for the season.
Mark Nolan was named best-on-ground for the Lakers in the win, with Charlie Kelly, Keenan Shepherd and Lucas McKinnon close behind, while Trent Gladwin and David Comi (one goal) were also influential.
In the sole Sunday fixture, a 10-goal haul to Rhys Cason helped Longwood sink Undera, the Redlegs running out 28.13 (181) to 6.6 (42) winners at Longwood Recreation Reserve.
The result is huge in terms of Longwood’s finals aspirations, keeping the fifth-placed Redlegs a game clear of sixth-placed Stanhope and, more importantly, two games clear of seventh-placed Rushworth with just four games remaining before finals.
Elsewhere, reigning premier Murchison-Toolamba overcame a five-goal deficit against Shepparton East to avoid a second straight defeat, eventually claiming a 13.7 (85) to 11.7 (73) victory in a grand final rematch at Central Park.
Hoppers coach Brett Foley cut a frustrated figure at quarter-time, with his side trailing by more than 30 points late in the opening term. However, post-game he praised the way his troops were able to turn it around.
“We were nowhere in the first quarter,” he said.
“We were just ball-watching, which is how we played the week before against Lancaster.
“After quarter-time, we got the ball on our terms and started moving the footy our way. Maybe it needed just a kick up the a*** for the boys to get it on our terms.”
Skipper James Milne booted four goals in a best-afield performance for Murchison-Toolamba in the steadying win.
Lancaster is still hot on the heels of the Hoppers in second spot, having secured a huge 20.18 (138) to 4.5 (29) victory over Girgarre at Girgarre Recreation Reserve, led by a best-on-ground display from Tom Davies (one goal) and four majors from Zaid Besim.
Tallygaroopna claimed a 16.9 (105) to 14.10 (94) victory over Violet Town, just the second victory of the year for the Redlegs, while Stanhope solidified its sixth spot with a 20.14 (134) to 5.10 (40) triumph over Merrigum.
Netball
Nagambie has given itself some breathing room in second spot on the Kyabram District League A-grade netball ladder, defeating challenger Rushworth to move a game clear of those below.
In a huge second-versus-third match-up at Ironbark Stadium, it was the visitor that prevailed, as Nagambie clinched a solid 47-36 victory over the Tigers in a brilliant performance, responding well after suffering its first loss since round one last weekend against Shepparton East.
The victory is a significant one for the Lakers, as it moves them a game clear of third and fourth places on the ladder with just four rounds — and three games — left in the home-and-away season, while Rushworth drops down to fourth, equal on points with Girgarre in third but holding an inferior percentage.
The Roos looked at their menacing best on Saturday in claiming a 55-17 victory over Lancaster at Girgarre Recreation Reserve, with the one-sided grand final rematch leaving Lancaster in 10th, two games out of the top six and looking unlikely to feature in September.
Undefeated ladder-leader Shepparton East made no mistake against Murchison-Toolamba, claiming a 63-29 victory to maintain a two-game lead at the top, while Tallygaroopna increased its chances of finals with a 59-38 victory over Violet Town to remain fifth, a game clear of Avenel in sixth.
Merrigum remains a chance of playing on past the home-and-away season following a 46-37 win over Stanhope to move into seventh spot, four points behind the sixth-placed Swans, who have a game in hand, while Undera denied Longwood its first win of the season with a 40-36 victory.
