BOX HILL made amends for recent losses when it recorded its third win of the year in trying conditions at Preston yesterday, defeating the Northern Bullants by 36 points, 13.14 (92) to 7.14 (56)

Kicking with the aid of a strong end-to-end wind, Box Hill was quick out of the blocks and took a 37-point lead at the quarter-time break. The Bullants found it exceptionally hard kicking against the wind, but made good use of the gale in the second quarter.

Thanks to some brilliant ruck work from Sam Jacobs, the Bullants managed to keep the ball in their forward 50 for the majority of the quarter, but were wasteful with their shots on goal. Steven Browne and Darren Pfeiffer were excellent around the stoppages while Jarrod Bannister and David Teague were also useful contributors. The Hawks managed one goal and two behinds against the wind, almost mirroring their opponent's first-quarter effort, but still held an eight-point lead at half-time.

The wind continued to wreak havoc on the match after half-time, causing repeated turnovers and ineffective kicking. Unable to replicate their first-quarter barrage, the inexperienced Hawks found it more difficult to shake the Bullants, but the Bullants could do no better than keep in touch with their rivals.

Beau Dowler (three goals) was a productive forward for Box Hill, while Cameron Pederson appeared almost on cue to crunch any Bullant who managed to sneak past centre wing.

Box Hill coach Barry Mitchell urged his players to play smart in the conditions, and asked for as many stoppages as possible to reduce any chance of the Bullants breaking open the game.

Having been toppled when competitive in recent weeks against Geelong, Coburg, and Collingwood, there was no way the Hawks were about to let this game slip from their grasp. Backmen Lukas Markovic, David Marcius, and Lachlan McQueen-Miscamble finished off the game in miserly form conceding one goal in the final term.

Zac Dawson went into the ruck and provided physical competition for Jacobs who had put on a ruck masterclass until three-quarter-time, and sealed the win for Box Hill with a late goal.

"It was nice to get to the front early today, we'd come from behind in our other two wins," said Mitchell.

"We've been undermanned this year but we've been able to play 26 Box Hill-listed players which has been really good."

Earlier in the day, North Ballarat thrashed reigning premier Geelong by 132 points at Skilled Stadium. The Roosters kicked nine goals in the first quarter, before piling on eight more in the second term. The visitors finished with 39 scoring shots to Geelong's 17, with midfielder Tom Roach in superlative form.

■In the Eastern Football League yesterday, Knox playing-coach Stuart Wynd, a premiership player at East Burwood, had a memorable afternoon when he became the first player in the EFL to kick 1000 goals. In his 14th season, and his eighth in division one, Wynd said he was relieved to reach the milestone.

"I had a chance last week but messed it up, so it was good to finally get it," he said. "At 35, I'm the oldest bloke in division one. I reckon I'm getting close now (to retirement)."