Bridgewater-Callington moved up to third position on the Hills Football League (HFL) Country Division ladder with a nail-biting five-point win over Meadows at Bridgewater on Saturday. The Raiders led all day and when they kicked the first goal of the final quarter, the margin was out to 28 points with the game seemingly over. Amazingly Meadows fought back with five goals in just 13 minutes to hit the front before the Raiders' Alistair Fleming kicked his fifth goal of the game at the 23-minute mark of the last term to seal the 12.13 (85) to 12.8 (80) victory for the Raiders. It was a bitter pill to swallow for Meadows who are showing strong signs of improvement so far in 2020. Shaun Steele kicked three goals for the Raiders in a best on ground performance while Gerard Dutton kicked two goals and was named best for the Bulldogs.

A powerful second half propelled Ironbank-Cherry Gardens to a fourth consecutive victory after a 52-point win against Kangarilla at Yaroona. The Thunderers led by 20 points at halftime and the game was well and truly on. The second half was all Ironbank though as they kicked 9.8 to 4.6 to win going away, 17.16 (118) to 9.12 (66). The ‘dynamic duo’ up forward were at it again for Ironbank-Cherry Gardens with Jeremy Johncock (7) and Josh Vandermeer (4) combining for 11 goals. The pair have now kicked 38 goals between them in the opening four games. Tom Hall played an excellent game up forward for Kangarilla as he bagged six majors. Matthew Raitt continued his good start to the season to be named best for the winners while Adrian Albanese was named best for Kangies.

Perennial powerhouse Kersbrook won their second game in row to move inside the top four following a comfortable 44-point win at Macclesfield. After a tight opening term which saw the Brookers lead by just five points, a seven goal to four second quarter had the visitors in the box seat at the long break with a 24-point margin. 10 goals to seven in the second half saw the high scoring match end, Kersbrook 21.9 (135) to Macclesfield 14.7 (91). Kersbrook shared the goals around with Jonathon Ross (5), Peter Masika (4) and Tyler Westley (3) leading the way. Luke Andruszkiewicz kicked three goals for Maccy. Ryan Xanthopoulos, Luke Tomaselli, Jacob Pitman, Regan Moyne and Josh Laube were named as Kersbrook’s best. Thomas Neville, Carey McLeod, Andruszkiewicz, Riley Daykin and Brad Thompson were best for Macclesfield.

Reigning premier Gumeracha remained undefeated with a crushing 164-point victory over bottom side Torrens Valley. The Magpies dominated all day to win 26.21 (177) to 2.1 (13). Scott Mumford kicked seven goals in a best on ground performance for Gumeracha. Mumford has kicked 14 goals from just three games so far this season. Joining him in the best players for the Magpies were Danny Leith (four goals), Brendon Moon, Daniel Wood and Jack Parker. Torrens Valley were best served by Ashley Fawcett, Tyson Reichstein, Robbie Young, Steven Cooper and Jono Voigt.

Birdwood had the bye.

Ladder after Round 4

Ironbank-Cherry Gardens 8, Gumeracha 6, Bridgewater-Callington 4, Kersbrook 4, Kangarilla 4, Macclesfield 2, Meadows 2, Birdwood 2, Torrens Valley 0.

Round 5 fixtures (Home team named first)

Kersbrook v Kangarilla

Birdwood v Gumeracha

Meadows v Torrens Valley

Ironbank-Cherry Gardens v Bridgewater-Callington

Macclesfield has the bye