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Diorites widen gap at top of the ladder

Mines' Nathan Twomey is tackled by Boulder's Mack Byron Pendergast, Henry papertalk and Chayne George. Picture: Louise White

Mines Rovers' hopes for the Goldfields Football League's minor premiership were boosted in a comfortable win over Boulder on Sunday.

The Diorites led at every change to win by 31 points, 12.14 (86) to 8.7 (55), and extend their lead in the standings to one-and-a-half games.

It was an impressive display by the blue and whites, who rallied in arguably the squad's most important clash of the season after two losses in their previous four games.

Mines Rovers, who opened the season with four wins, led by 18 points at half-time before hitting their straps the rest of the way with 7.7.

Ruckman-forward Luke Nugent celebrated his return to the line-up with three goals for the winners, who are chasing the club's first flag in five years.

Former West Coast champion Daniel Kerr played his second game for Boulder and kicked two goals.

But Alex Devitt (three) was the only other multiple goalkicker for the Tigers, whose comeback efforts were thwarted after being restricted to 2.4 in the third term.

Mines Rovers player-coach Dion Fleay said the win was great for morale after going into the clash just two points clear of Railways and Boulder.

"I'm not sure it was our best win," he said.

"But it was certainly very important in the major scheme of things, in terms of setting up the back end of the season for ourselves.

"To go six points clear is great and yes, the guys played well, but we still have lots to work on and can't get carried away with ourselves."

The Diorites had chances to ice the game early, but eight scoring shots to quarter-time yielded 2.6.

"Given the conditions, we knew it was going to be a torrid affair," Fleay said.

"I always had the feeling we had control of the game early, but blazed away and missed shots right in front which gave them (Boulder) a chance.

"We should have had more ascendancy in the first quarter, but I was pleased with how the guys fought out the rest of the game."

Mines Rovers' main injury concern was Pat Tully, who strained a hamstring.

Gauging Boulder's form line is difficult, with the Tigers holding off a struggling Kalgoorlie in a round 9 thriller and drawing with defending premiers Railways in round 10.