BANK the four points and move on.
It was mission accomplished for the three top teams in a cold and wet round nine of Loddon Valley football.
Top-of-the-table Marong completed a perfect first half of the season by defeating Newbridge 16.14 (110) to 4.2 (26), a big second quarter was the catalyst for Pyramid Hill’s 16.9 (105) to 4.7 (31) victory over Maiden Gully and third-placed Bridgewater outclassed Mitiamo 18.12 (120) to 6.6 (42).
After an even first term, Pyramid Hill blew Maiden Gully away with a sensational nine-goal second quarter burst.
The Bulldogs dominated the midfield contests and gave key forwards Zac Alford and Ben Bisset plenty of opportunities.
By half-time the margin was 57 points and, as the heavens opened, the second-half was a slog with the Dogs adding 5.4 to 2.3 to win by 74 points. 
“The second quarter was probably one of our better quarters of footy for the year,’’ Pyramid Hill coach Nathan Fitzpatrick admitted.
“It was already a bit slippery at that point, so to take some of the marks we did inside 50 was impressive. Zac Alford and Ben Bisset were very clean (with their hands) compared to everyone else.
“It was pretty hard to gauge too much out of the second half because it was stoppage after stoppage.”
Mitch Langan was named best for the Dogs after an impressive four-quarter performance across half-back. Ben Knight was the best midfielder for Pyramid Hill and recruit Kai Daniels continued his impressive form.
The Eagles were best served by Mitch Hill, who has put together a string of good games, while Ed Crisp and 16-year-old defender Lewis Pigdon battled hard.
Bridgewater coach Lachlan Sharp bagged 10 goals in a best on ground performance against Mitiamo.
The left-footer took his season tally to 53 in the Mean Machine’s 18.12 (120) to 6.6 (42) scoreline.
The Superoos were more than competitive in the first half, but once the conditions became heavy Bridgewater’s experience and bigger bodies took over.
Bridgewater kicked 7.8 to 0.3 after the main break to win convincingly.
Sharp aside, Luke Ellings, Harry McKinley and Jack Neylon were the standouts for Bridgewater.
Eli Woodhatch made his senior debut for the Mean Machine.
Zac Morrison, Cody Tuohey and coach Luke Lougoon were best for Mitiamo.
Marong’s eighth win from as many games was one of its best defensive performances of the season.
The Panthers held Newbridge to one goal in each quarter, while in attack co-coach Kain Robins kicked seven goals.
Ruckman Matt Willox produced his best game of the season for the Panthers.
Marong, which hasn’t lost a home game for three years, will defend that streak when it hosts the improving Inglewood this Saturday.
The other key round 10 clash is at Serpentine where the fourth-placed Bears tackle the third-placed Bridgewater.
In other games, Newbridge travels to Pyramid Hill, while Maiden Gully should regain former Essendon and Port Adelaide forward Angus Monfries for its home clash with Calivil.
- ADAM BOURKE