CHIDLOW’S 19.17 (131) to 8.9 (57) win over Bullsbrook at Elsie Austin Oval means they head into round nine with a bit of a buffer between them and the fourth-placed team on the Hills Football Association ladder.

In the earlier game HFA ladder leaders Pickering Brook 21.30 (156) to 1.7 (13) proved too strong for bottom placed Mt Helena.

The weather finally broke and delivered some testing conditions for all players.

The slippery ball making ball handling difficult while footing was also hard to maintain.

The Cougars were well served in the ruck by Jayden Bathhurst as he went head to head with James Thompson.

Adam McKinlay collected possessions around the stoppages pushing the ball forward to where Jake Forman had found space to kick a goal.

The Saints backline led by Rory Crosby, Brock Sherriffs, Jett Brownley and Blair Gregson were under constant pressure.

The Cougars jumped out to a 31-point lead at the first break on the back of a six goal to one quarter.

The second quarter was no easier for the Saints as Chidlow put on another four goals to nil.

Christian Huggins teamed with Jaiden Fernie to offer Bullsbrook something around the contests.

This wasn’t enough to dull the impact that Blake Offer and Luke Elloitt were having on the game.

The third quarter was more productive for the Saints, Brock Sherriffs and Brandon Ghirardi went forward to offer targets.

James Thompson worked himself further into the game as he dragged in some strong marks.

Chidlow had Steven Schorer in a back pocket where he not only shut down several Saints forward moves but also snuck forward to kick a goal.

Just as the players were adapting better to conditions the skies opened up and drenched everyone.

By this time the ball had gotten a bit more tacky making it slightly easier to handle.

Chidlow held a strong 64-point lead at the last break.

Bullsbrook kept plugging away with no fit players left on the bench, along with others showing signs of the hard slog on a heavy ground.

Tim Huntley provided the highlights in the last after being moved forward for a rare appearance.

He certainly showed his value to the team as he ended the game with four goals.

With the win the Cougars have managed to put a gap between themselves and fourth placed Gidgegannup.