In one of three games on Saturday decided by a single-figure margin, the Magpies made more of their scoring opportunities to win their fifth game in a row with their 8.6 (54) to 6.14 (50) victory.

The result leaves both teams with 5-1 records, while the victory was only the Magpies’ third against the Demons in their past 16 encounters.

“The boys played really well. We’re improving each week and starting to gel together really well,” Boort coach Corey Gregg said.

“We were excited about the challenge of taking on Wyche; it’s games like today where you get to find out about your players and the side as a whole and I was really pleased with how we want about it.”

The Demons were left to rue their inaccuracy as they kicked as many behinds as the Magpies had scoring shots.

But bad kicking is bad footy, particularly in the first and last quarters for the Demons, who scored 0.5 in both terms. Boort was also goalless in the final quarter.

The improved Magpies led at every break and with five victories in a row are on their best winning streak since they won their first seven games of 2011.

“There’s a good vibe at the club and throughout the community and I’m really enjoying my first year,” Gregg said.

Gregg was among the best players for the Magpies. Keiren Wilson, who continued his impressive season, Brodie Leonard-Shannon and Ben Gregg were also important in the win.

For the third time in the past four games George Turner was named the Demons’ best player.

• Donald hit back from consecutive losses with a one-point win over Birchip-Watchem to even its season ledger at 3-3.

The Royals had trailed at each break, but were in front when it mattered, with Brody Haddow kicking the match-winning goal as they grinded out a hard-fought 8.7 (55) to 7.12 (54) victory.

The scoreboard at the final siren showed scores level, but once the goal umpires conferred after the game the Royals were declared one-point winners.

• As well as all teams having at least one loss after Wycheproof-Narraport’s defeat, all eight also now have a win on the board after St Arnaud broke through for its first victory of 2017 against Charlton.

In the clash of the clubs that have won the past two flags and now fill the bottom two rungs on the ladder, the Saints ran out 15.9 (99) to 13.12 (90) victors.

Class forward Nick Coghlan kicked six goals for the Saints, while the Navies’ Tom Finlay also slotted six.

• Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers overcame an eight-point three quarter-time deficit to defeat Wedderburn by 37 points and improve to 4-2.

The Tigers booted 7.5 to 0.2 in the final term to win 13.11 (89) to 6.16 (52).

Inaccuracy again plagued the Redbacks, who have kicked a wasteful 21.43 in their past three games.