RUTHERGLEN had to fight to keep their hopes of a double chance alive against Barnawartha, but hung on for a compelling two-point win.
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The match had more plot twists than Days of Our Lives, but the Cats were the ones to come up trumps in a stirring final quarter.
The Tigers nearly stole the points on the back of a powerful third quarter, in which they booted five goals to one for a three-point lead at the last change.
The marathon final quarter was an arm-wrestle in every sense of the word.
The Cats started well and led by as much as 14 points at one stage, but the Tigers kept finding a way to strike back.
Two quick goals brought Barnawartha right back into the fold, only for Drew Cameron to snap truly and extend the margin as the clock ticked down.
One last roll of the dice resulted in Danny Demarte once again cutting the margin to two, but time was ultimately on Rutherglen's side.
Cats coach Karl Jacka called it a ‘character win’.
“Barny are a big side, so we had to rely on our workrate,” he said.
“When they started matching our workrate or bettering it, physically they were able to get on top of us.
“From there, when guys started taking their opportunities, working a bit harder, it worked quite well for us.
“We opened them up, found some space.”
Marty Brennan was outstanding for the victors, while former Albury forward Bobby Griffiths finished with four goals.
Jordan Wolff bagged four at the other end, while Sam Kunkel and Jarrod Woodall impressed for the Tigers.
Jarryd Hatton and Jakeb Meyer were managed towards the end of the game, with the former on the receiving end of a heavy knock in the third term.
Josh Spence, Dylon Simpson and Matt Glossop are among those still to return to the park in the coming weeks.
In other matches, Kiewa-Sandy Creek survived would would have been a major upset against Wahgunyah.
The Hawks looked home for all money at three-quarter time, leading by three goals, but the Lions charged home to give Kiewa an almighty scare.
They booted four goals to one in the final quarter only to fall two points short, keeping the Hawks in touch with the minor premiership.
Ladder leaders Mitta won an important match against Thurgoona, defeating the Dogs by 24 points.
Tallangatta’s finals race copped yet another blow, going down to Yackandandah by four points.
Beechworth thumped the Wodonga Saints for their fifth win of the season after a slow start.
