The win puts Epsom 27 points ahead of fifth place and also keeps it within striking distance of the top three teams.

Epsom got off to an impressive start, taking the opening men’s and women’s doubles sets through the combinations of Matt Hartland and Shane Burke in the men’s 8-6, and Danielle Bowles and Jane St Clair in the women’s 8-2.

Alistair Baker and Frank Ryan opened South’s account in the second men’s doubles, with a hard-fought 8-6 victory over Michael Nihill and Robert Jefferies.

The match moved into the singles and Epsom began to look to take control. The Butterflies dominated the singles, capturing five of the six available sets to seal victory.

Spring Gully Broughie ensured it would go into the Christmas break on top of the premier league ladder, with a hard-fought 10 set to two defeat of Castlemaine.

The scorecard didn’t reflect the tightness of the battle.

The Broughie got off to a confident start taking the opening three doubles sets through the combinations of Jamie Brown and Travis Toner, Steve and Shane Cox, and Jessica Hartland and Bronwyn Osborne.

Pat McMillian continued his good form to record the Maine’s first points of the day with an impressive 8-6 victory over Jamie Brown.

However, the Broughie machine again kicked into gear with a string of singles victories through Toner over Leigh Campbell 8-6, Steve Cox over Dean Harris 9-7, Shane Cox over Nathen Mitchell 8-2 and Jessica Hartland over Alice Tucker 8-4.

Alyssa Cole was able to snare Castlemaine’s second point with her 8-4 victory over Bronwyn Osborne.

The Broughie converted its chances in the mixed doubles to take the final three sets of the afternoon.

Sixth-placed Strath Park Storm gave reigning premiers Bendigo Lawn a scare.

The Storm was in the match going into the final three sets of the day, but Lawn stepped up a gear to win all three and take an 8-4 win on the day.

Best players for the winners included Curt Garwood and Sam Storer.

Spring Gully Bigpond had the bye.