After enduring a 37-match losing streak covering 764 days, the Rams, so often Horsham District Football League whipping boys, were winners once more.

And they did it in style, beating a dreadfully disappointing Taylors Lake by 40 points, much to the delight of a large, vocal and passionate Natimuk home crowd.

As the crowd's noise reverberated throughout the town, signalling the Rams were on the verge of victory, the crowd built up even further.

And when the final siren sounded, supporters streamed onto the ground to celebrate with the players.

Moments later in their palatial new changerooms, first-year coach Nathan Fidler and long-time Ram and club president Willie Hanson emotionally embraced one another in a symbolic signal of the club's new direction.

The club's theme song, not heard since the Rams beat Taylors Lake by 12 points on June 18, 2005, was then sung with almighty gusto.

Fidler told his players the win was a reward for their efforts throughout the year.

But such is the team's newfound self belief, moments after the match his attention had turned to the Rams' next game, against Great Western in a fortnight.

Earlier this season, the Rams lost to Great Western by two points.

"It's been a long time since we've won two games in a row; we owe Great Western something," he told his players.

A jubilant Hanson described the victory as a win for persistence.

But despite what appeared on the scoreboard to be an easy win, it started off an even contest.

In a see-sawing first half, neither side could prise open their opposition. The skills were far from silky but as a pure football contest, it was captivating.

The Lakers looked to have the momentum midway through the second quarter when they opened up a 10-point lead. But goals to Natimuk's Tom Bourchier and one to Hayden Fleay on the half-time siren gave the Rams an unlikely lead and more importantly momentum.

Lakers coach Aaron Lewis suffered a hamstring injury in the second term and did not return to the field in the second half, and ultimately the loss of one of the Lakers' key playmakers was a turning point.

His Natimuk counterpart Fidler was then responsible for two instrumental passages of play in the third quarter, both resulted in goals.

The margin by then was 24 points, and there was no way back for Taylors Lake.

In inspirational ruckman Tim Kelm's 200th game, the Lakers lacked passion. Kelm deserved more from his team-mates.

The Lakers' forward line was inefficient and undisciplined, and a lot of players wearing red and white simply did not look fit.

BEST: Natimuk, Glenn Semmens, Nathan Fidler, Sam Anson, Daniel Knight, Jason Skiller, David Caulfield; Taylors Lake, Brett Monaghan, Tim Kelm, Christopher Farrell, Brock Harvey, Luke Robertson, Ian McCulloch.