The Saints kicked seven goals in the third quarter to end the valiant Swans hopes, winning 15.15 111 to 7.13 55.

It left the Swans languishing 12 points (three wins) adrift of fourth-placed New England Nomads.

The Nomads gave competition leaders Tamworth Kangaroos something to worry about at Bellevue Oval, Armidale on Saturday going down by 21 points.

The Roos kicked 17.10 112 to the Nomads 13.13 91in Armidale where they also skipped away from their opposition in the third quarter, booting five goals.

Dane Overeem finished the game with five goals and Col Daye and Ash Cruickshank three apiece while Matthew Maxwell and Weston Whitby both kicked four for the Nomads.

The Roos remain top of the table, one win ahead of the Saints with Gunnedah Bulldogs third on 24 points after the Bulldogs overwhelmed struggling Muswellbrook Cats 25.23 173 to 4.5 29 in Gunnedah.

Mark Eyington kicked 10 goals for the Bulldogs and Aaron Froud six as Scott Hardy, Garry Briggs, Troy Campbell and Peter Chapman also stood out.

Peter Ryan booted three goals for the Cats.

In Tamworth the Swans started well.

“We had a great first half,’ Swans president Josh McKenzie said.

“But they (Saints came out hard in the third quarter and kicked some quick goals. We had no answer.

The Saints made some changes at half time with young fullback Joe Kimmince going to full forward and Alex Dasey into rover.

“Joe kicked three goals for us and changed the game,” said co-coach Dick Gleeson.

“He started taking some big marks and we started getting the ball out of the centre, and Alex Dasey always plays with a ton of commitment and guts and started getting the ball out for us.”

Best for the Saints were Kimmince, Dasey and Mick Corcoran while Damien Wendt, Gavin Knee, Jason Darcy and Aaron McRae starred for the Swans.

TABLE: Tamworth Kangaroos 40 (153.65%), Inverell Saints 36 (211.78%), Gunnedah Bulldogs 24 (107.68%), New England Nomads 20 (101.78%), Tamworth Swans 8 (84.65%), Muswellbrook Cats 4 (30.60%).