But a gutsy captain’s mark and goal from Ramblers’ Mark Marchetti ensured the Roosters held onto their small lead.

The game was going end-to-end at an exciting pace with both teams combining for some eye-catching passages of play.

The Bluds soon found an equaliser through the dangerous Mick Moller to be down by just four points half way through the quarter.

Ramblers soon answered when Ryan Morris snapped a smart goal after the ball split off a pack.

The Roosters were driving the ball forward and their midfielders in Marchetti, Liam O’Neil and Ryan Viney were getting on top.

Marchetti kicked another and when Girardi goaled from the boundary, Ramblers went into half time with a handy 24-point lead.

A snap goal to Jackson extended the lead early in the third, before Jervois finally goaled against the flow through Rigney.

Zac Ewer started to crank up in the Jervois midfield and Ty Burkett was laying some strong tackles for the Bluds.

Ramblers soon goaled, however, through Liam O’Neil, after more good work from Marchetti, who was making all of his possessions count.

Jervois ruckman Jason Bayliss was moved up forward and provided a good focal point for the Bluds.

Greg Stevens was doing a fantastic job for the Roosters in a back pocket, rebounding well and keeping the dangerous Mahony quiet.

The Bluds edged closer when Moller chopped off a kick-in and goaled.

They could have been within two goals, however midfielder Brad Schmidt hit the post with a running shot on goal.

Some undisciplined play by Jervois resulted in a 50-metre penalty and a goal to Morris.

A fantastic running goal by defender Luke Button gave Ramblers a five-goal lead and they began to win the centre clearances.

Captain Russell Jarvis goaled for Jervois to bring the margin back, but Ramblers replied instantly through their captain Marchetti.

Jarrod Sykes was providing some good run for the Roosters, as was Troy Cowland off the wing.

At three-quarter time Ramblers were up 12.13 to 7.7 and the Bluds had some work to do.

Girardi goaled early in the fourth to extend Ramblers’ lead, before another to Sykes, who was playing well, saw the lead jump out to seven goals.

Jervois soon fought back when Rigney kicked his fifth, but Ben Dougall quickly replied for Ramblers.

The game again went goal for goal, as Mahony goaled for the Bluds and then Girardi for the Roosters.

Mahony kicked another for Jervois, followed by a major to Jeremy Rigney and when Schmidt goaled on the run, the Bluds had kicked three goals in a row and were in a with a sniff.

A goal to Button steadied the ship for Ramblers, and they ran out winners 19.6 to 14.10.

Best for the Roosters were Marchetti, Stevens, Jackson, Sykes and Cowland, while Jervois’ best were Beeching, Bayliss, Burkett, James Cobbledick and Chris Braun.

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Roos upset more fancied Blues

Mannum 17.14 (116)

Imperials 16.9 (105)

MANNUM received a much needed confidence boost nearing the finals, with a gutsy 11-point victory over a much more fancied Imperials side.

Imperials received their second defeat in as many weeks from a side below them on the premiership ladder and will need to improve to be successful in the major round.

The game, played in ideal conditions on the Roo’s home ground, saw the youthful Mannum side more than competitive with their more experienced opponents.

Mannum were first to score, with a goal to Ben Lambert after a strong mark.

Imperials defence held out several Roos attacks with Josh Rudiger prominent at centre half forward, before Imps hit back with three goals, all from full forward Mathew Kowald.

A strong mark and long goal to the Roo’s Jarrad Woodward followed by a brace of clever goals to Ben Quinn had Mannum up by seven points at the first break.

An early goal to Henry Hodge levelled the scores before the Roo’s began to assert authority through Paul Sarno and Justin Maloney, resulting in goals to Andrew Warnest, Quinn and Josh Gould.

Imps replied through Martin Baillee, Kowald got his fourth goal before Mannum’s Todd Boughen was on line to give his side a 15-point margin at the long break.

The third quarter was Imperials best term with Ash Temby, Matt Gogel, and Jason Puatti coming through the centre to provide opportunities for goals to Josh Charles and Gogel before an inspirational goal from Warnest from a 50 metre snap from half forward retained the lead for his side.

It was goal for goal as Dion Newell and Travis Leinert goaled for the Blues followed by Boughen for his second and Justin Maloney getting his first for the Roos.

A strong mark to Imps’ Nick Stephen for a goal, followed by another to Damien Garrett, who was displaying his experience to good effect, had the youthful Roos struggling with poor delivery to their team-mates resulting in numerous turnovers.

Play was held up for 10 minutes following a serious arm injury to the Roos’ Daniel Thiele.

When play resumed Imps’ Daniel Girdham goaled after an unusual quiet first half to give Imps a lead of seven points at three-quarter-time.

The scene was set for an interesting final quarter with Imps on a roll and Mannum appearing to struggle.

This was soon answered when the Roo’s piled on five unanswered goals.

Highlights were a great chase and tackle by Todd Boughen, who goaled from the resultant free kick, and a rare goal from centre half back Adam Nitschke.

Other goals to Quinn, Lambert and Brad Wakefield had their opponents under pressure.

A lapse in concentration late in the game by Mannum allowed Imps’ Girdham to register two goals and another after the siren to Ryan Eyre to put some respect on the scoreboard, with Mannum going out deserved winners by 11 points.

Mannum were well served by a tireless effort from ruckman Wakefield, who rucked for four quarters against three talls from Imps. Although not dominant with his hit outs his nullifying effect and strong field play was match winning.

Justin Maloney, as usual, put his body on line for his side with a gutsy performance along with Ben Lambert, who is improving with every game.

Paul Sarno gave a polished display at centre and Ben Quinn with four goals from a pocket was all class.

Imps best were their centre line players and runners in Ash Temby, Matt Gogel and Jason Puatti who were all big possession winners.

Henry Hodge had his moments along with Ryan Eyre in defence.

Damien Garrett showed that his experience and toughness is still a requirement for the senior side.

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B ears just fall short

Tailem Bend 15.16 (106)

Meningie 8.17 (65)

MENINGIE were looking for their first River Murray Football League win of 2008, and Tailem Bend was after their fifth to keep their faint finals hopes alive.

Tailem Bend were able to come away with the points in a lack-lustre affair.

The Eagles bolted out the blocks with smart play from Phil O’Connell to boot the first goal of the game inside 30 seconds.

Adam Robertson then cleared from the centre allowing Anthony Gregurke to kick his first for Tailem. Robertson was in everything for the Eagles as Dylan Hogarth and Damien Raidis then goaled.

When Hogarth goaled again at the 20-minute mark, Tailem had seven goals on the board with Meningie still scoreless.

Andrew Coombe provided the opportunity for Meningie’s first goal with an undisciplined 50-metre penalty.

Tailem then closed the game down to they held the break they had earned.

The Eagles midfield was dominant in the first term with Robertson on the wing, Hogarth and Raidis working well together.

Quarter time scores Tailem Bend 7-4 to Meningie 1-2.

Tailem Began grabbed another goal at the start of the second quarter, this time through Wayne Luckett.

Meningie lifted and controlled play, but could not make an impact on the scoreboard.

Luckett kicked another against the run of play to extend the lead.

Two quick goals to Josh Robinson and John Derrington gave the Bears some confidence, but Coombe was allowed too much space at half forward and made Meningie pay with his first major.

Jason Schulz added a long goal just before half-time to ensure an eight goal lead, 11-8 to 3-8.

Meningie started the second half well with Robert Payne setting up Derrington for his second, before Gregurke replied for the Eagles.

The Bears had the majority of play but could not make the most of it, scoring consecutive behinds from poor kickouts by fullback Matthew Linke.

Paul McNichol finally kicked truly and Payne followed with one of his own for the Bears.

Tailem tightened up in the last part of the quarter, with the becoming a tight, close-in contest.

This gave the Bears no chance to get within striking distance before the break and the Eagles took the lead 12-12 to Meningie 6-11.

The last quarter was certainly not pretty with both sides going through the motions.

Meningie wanted to win the last quarter, but only kicked two goals to three, eventually losing by 41-point.

Best players for Tailem Bend were James Little, Mitchell Vickers, Linke and Todd Downs, and for Meningie is was Jack Lewis, Robinson, Tim Saddlier and youngsters Chris Lawson and Matt Miller.