Small forward Jarryd Lewis kicked eight goals in the Eagles’ 27.12 (174) to 7.6 (48) win at Bushfield Recreation Reserve on Saturday to help them maintain a one-game buffer on fourth-ranked Port Fairy.

Cobden teenager Dominic Dare kicked six of the Bombers’ seven majors.

The Eagles kicked 17 first-half goals, including nine in an opening quarter blitz.

North Warrnambool Eagles co-coach Brendan Murfett said the performance was a confidence-booster.

“We were trying to do that (have a fast start) the past couple of weeks to no avail and yesterday it paid off,” he said.

“Dylan Parish had five goals to half-time which we were very pleased with as well.”

Murfett said Lewis – a small forward with an uncanny ability to mark above his head – was dangerous and accurate.

“His fitness is right up there with the best of them at the moment,” he said.

“Last year he played half-forward whereas this year he has the tank to run in the middle as well, so he runs the wing at times.”

Eagles debutant Liam Lyons also hit the scoreboard, kicking three goals.

Cobden co-coach Wayne Robertson said the Bombers missed opportunities to kick early goals and were then “chasing tail”.

“Our first half was very, very ordinary,” he said.

“We’ll try and rectify that at training and bring intensity and accountable football. We let them have too much loose footy.”

Promising teenager Paul Pekin hurt his hamstring, compounding Cobden’s woes.

Robertson said the former Geelong Falcon had established himself in the Bombers’ best 21 this season.

Meanwhile, Warrnambool coach Scott Carter has labelled the Blues’ performances against Hamilton Kangaroos at Reid Oval “patchy”.

Jake O’Donnell kicked four goals in the Blues’ 18.14 (122) to 8.6 (54) win.

“He was a class above everyone else,” he said.

Carter said the Blues conceded the first two goals as the Kangaroos made an inspired start. He said Warrnambool put in a workmanlike display.

“We missed a fair few targets by hand and foot,” he said.