BIRCHIP Watchem was left stunned and flat-footed by a possessed Pies outfit in the opening quarter at Boort Park on Saturday.
Boort controlled play the length of the ground, conceding just three behinds while piling on five goals aided by a steady wind.
Jhye Baddley-Kelly was able to shrug off Bulls’ taggers to kick a couple of goals in quick succession.
Magpie defenders, when challenged, again stood tall while in the ruck it was a good dual between the Boort pair of Wilson Barapoulos up against Riley Doran.
A quarter-time rev from coach Ash Connick saw a very different Birchip contest the ball.
Boort had moved Baddeley-Kelly to defence to limit damage but the Bulls were able to flood the forward zone and capitalise on the wind.
Seven goals for the term while holdng the home side to a solitary behind was a potent indication of the depth through the Birchip side that wants another crack at the flag.
Sparking their revival were Nicholas Rippon and Ben Lakin, brushing aside opponents and constantly send the Bulls deep nto the forward 50 where Ben Edwards would finish the day with five goals.
A flat third quarter from the Magpies cruelled any hopes they entertained of claiming a second big scalp in three weeks.
Dale Hinkley continued to lead well for Birchip and the Bulls had another seven-goal quarter. Boort managed four majors with the wind.
The final term was without some of the pizzazz of earlier in the game although Boort managed to have a slight advantage, up a point for the quarter.
Rhona Conboy and Lachlan Ryan, not named in Birchip’s best, had some impressive moments across the midfield while Boort youngster Lachlan Hall could not be faulted in the first term, putting his body on the line when the hard ball needed to be won.
Baddeley-Kelly finished the day with four goals for Boort while Ethan Coleman kicked three.
Keiran Wilson at half back was named best for the Magpies with another solid game.