A strong first half set up the 86-point win over a brave Magpie line-up.

The game started in stylish fashion with the polished skills of Hepburn's Ross Mann on display. Playing on a wing

against the much taller Buscombe, Mann spoilt and tackled and his foot skills set up many opportunities for his

team mates up the field.

Once again Burra forward Lee Cox was the stand-out forward on the ground, roaming far and wide for his

possessions. In the wet conditions he pulled in some strong pack marks and finished the day with eight goals.

He was supported by Andy McKay, who chipped in with four of his own.

The bigger bodies of Sam Newton and Salesi Uhi were instrumental in Hepburn's dominance in the midfield. But

as the game wore on and conditions worsened Hepburn's smaller midfielders tended to sit back and watch, which

allowed Clunes to win the centre clearances on several occasions.

Craig Leehane again had a good day out, providing plenty of run out of the backline, taking over from Matt Dillion,

who was injured early in the match. Leehane was well supported by co-captain Alan Ware and the big bustling

Brendan Shepherd, who again had the supporters questioning which end of the ground is his best position.

Danny Abbott played his best game for the season, raking up numerous possessions and one-percenters, playing

to the coach's instructions superbly.

As the rain set in during the last quarter, both sides looked as though they were playing out time in need of a hot

shower.

For Clunes, best players were ruckman Scott Adam, coach Damian Kinnersly, Mark Anderson and Darren

Edwards.

Next week, Hepburn takes on the fast-improving Beaufort at the Laurie Sullivan Reserve.

Clunes has a tough draw with big games against Buninyong, Waubra, Bungaree and Learmonth in the next four

rounds.