NORTH Warrnambool Eagles recovered from a tough early-season fixture to secure its first win of the year on Saturday.
With the help of accurate goaler Annie Blackburn, who shot 29 goals for the match, the Eagles soared above Cobden, 54-45.
It was a timely win for North, which battled courageously through the opening three rounds against 2011 grand finalists Camperdown and Koroit and semi-finalist South Warrnambool.
The Eagles looked sharp from the start at Bushfield Recreation Reserve, skipping to a 15-11 lead at quarter-time.
Cobden only managed five goals in the second term, compared to North's 14.
The Bombers found the ball in the third term, thanks to the hard work of attackers Maddison Smedts, Hayley Plozza and Natalie Hinkley, but the host pushed on to be 47-30 ahead at three-quarter-time.
While North was restricted to seven goals in the final term, less than half of Cobden's effort, the damage had been done.
The Eagles have jumped off the bottom rung of the A grade ladder, while the Bombers have held on to fourth spot.
Versatile Skye Billings was good for North, while Plozza finished with 29 goals for Cobden.
North will travel to Mortlake full of confidence to play Terang Mortlake this weekend, while Cobden has a tough assignment against Koroit.