The Tiwi Bombers snapped a long-standing winning drought against league powerhouse St Mary's when a comeback and the league's lightning rule combined to give them a six-point win on Bathurst Island.
The game on Stanley Tipiloura Oval at Wurrumiyanga was halted 14 minutes into the third quarter when the 10km lightning rule was enforced.
The additional 30-minute safety margin after the threat subsided meant there was not enough time left to resume the contest.
The Bombers' 8.11 (59) to 8.5 (53) win was well earned after the Saints led by three goals at the first change.
The Tiwis kicked five of the next seven goals until the game was officially called off, a Roy Kantilla goal giving them the league when his running shot just missed the left-hand upright and went through for six points.
For coach Patrick Bowden, the win signalled a mood of confidence and progress on and off the field.
"It's (lightning rule) not the way you want to win games, but we needed the four points, and we got them,'' Bowden said.
"We got the momentum when the rain started and the boys really played well, coming fr.om behind to hit the lead in that third quarter.''
Kurt Dunn in the backline was superb for the Tiwis, playing close to the dangerous Landt brothers (Dylan and Jack), while lionhearted ruck Karlson Kantilla and Brendan Kantilla up forward were other good players.
St Mary's coach Anthony Vallejo was left to lament a red-letter day in his club's history after a long ferry crossing and the lightning ruling.
"It was a big day in a lot of ways, particularly now we've lost two in a row that's put us back into the pack a little bit,'' he said.
"The Christmas break means players go home for the break and it does deplete your side a little bit, now we have to come out all guns blazing when we've got Southern Districts in the first game back in January.''
The Saints loss has created a logjam at the top of the Premier League ladder, with four sides now on seven wins and PINT one game back on six wins fr.om their nine games.
Reigning premier Waratah grabbed top spot with its 114-point win over a young Palmerston side at Cazaly's Arena.
Tahs' clinical 22.12 (144) to 4.6 (30) win lifted them 14 percentage points ahead of second-placed St Mary's, with Southern Districts jumping to third following their 112-point win over Wanderers.
Nightcliff is fourth after they avenged their Round 7 loss to the Buffaloes with a 23-point win at TIO Stadium.
Waratah spearhead Jayden Magro relished the wet conditions at Cazaly's Arena, kicking eight goals in his side's win to stay on top of the Dennis Dunn Medal race as the leading goalkicker in Premier League.
Tahs always had the game under control, with Scott Carlin and Lachlan Cassidy through the midfield and Magro's six goals after half-time putting the stamp on their big win.
Magro said the momentum his side would take into the three-week break until the competition resumes on January 6 was a big plus.
"We'll work on a few things in that time and hopefully hit the ground running after Christmas,'' he said.
"In my case it's good to get on to a few, but the boys are looking after me where I'm just finishing off all their hard work.''
Southern Districts full forward Jarrod Brander booted 10 goals in his side's 23.16 (154) to 6.6 (42) win over Wanderers to send the Crocodiles into the Christmas break with a big appetite for more success.
Coach Shannon Rusca liked the way his players used the football inside the forward 50 metre arc and through the middle.
"Obviously Jarrod played a very good game with his movement and marking and Jed Anderson's six goals despite playing a lot of the game in the middle were from the top shelf,'' Rusca said.
"Michael Bowden and Jed's ball use through the middle created several scoring chances and Matt Johnston's ability to win the ball at stoppages was fantastic.''
Nightcliff reminded the sides around them that they are genuine flag contenders with a four-goal win over the Buffaloes at league headquarters.
The consistent Lewis Rinaldi through the midfield, Ryan Nyhuis in a rare move forward where he kicked three goals and Jack Monigatti on his return to Top End football were good players in the 13.11 (89) to 10.6 (66) win.
Coach Leigh Crossman was mindful of the earlier loss to the Buffaloes a month ago and liked what he saw from his players.
"We were aware they got us the last time we played them and with the season shaping up the way it is, you can't afford to losing twice or giving up games to the sides around you,'' Crossman said.
The Tigers kicked six unanswered goals midway through the third term and looked set for a big win before the Buffaloes responded with a four-goal to one last quarter.