The Magpies held off the challenge of Charles Sturt University on Saturday, a top-five rival who had also dropped only one game going into the encounter at Victoria Park.

Opening stoutly into the wind and closing strongly with it, TRYC secured an 11.10 (76) to 7.11 (53) victory after the Bushpigs had drawn level at three-quarter-time.

Co-coach Brad Aiken said it wasn't the prettiest of wins but, given they also took over the mantle of the league's longest current winning streak, he's more than happy with the reward.

"We go into the bye now, 5-and-1, so we're pretty happy with that," Aiken said.

"It was a pretty horrendous day, to be honest, with the weather. The breeze was pretty telling in the end.

"We worked pretty hard in the first quarter just to get the ascendancy. We won the first quarter against the breeze."

CSU had eight scoring shots to four in the first term but couldn't make it pay and trailed by a point at quarter-time after the 'Pies kicked four straight goals.

They essentially proved the difference. The next three quarters went with the wind: TRYC opened up a 22-point lead in the second quarter, saw CSU whittle it back to nothing in the third (holding the 'Pies scoreless) before a big final term secured the home side's victory.

"It wasn't a great day for skills and switching the footy and ball movement and everything in between. It was a workmanlike win, a dirty win in the end," Aiken said.

The big blow was a broken collarbone to midfielder Cooper Diessel who was enjoying a brilliant start to the season.

"It was disappointing for him and for us as a footy club, but that's the game," Aiken said.

Captain Mitch Stephenson also suffered a slight hamstring strain.

"The bye couldn't come at a better time for us. He might be right for North Wagga (in round eight) but we won't risk him," Aiken said.

After the Saints, TRYC will take on Temora to complete the first half of the season.

Stephenson had been strong in the middle along with Joe Hancock who's stamping his mark.

Joe Kerin finished with four goals, taking him to 12 in the last three games, while Riley Budd continues to shine across half-back.

Aiken reserved praise for Cody Cool win the ruck, and brother Jesse won some important contests.

Andrew Dickins kicked three of CSU's seven goals but primarily stayed up forward, leaving Max Findlay to the rucking duties.

The Bushpigs were left to curse their kicking, with 17 scoring shots to 12 over the first three-quarters only keeping them on equal terms.

Full-time:

TRYC 4.0, 8.4, 8.4, 11.10 (76)

CSU 3.5, 4.6, 7.10, 7.11 (53)

Goals: (TRYC) Joseph Kerin 4, Shannon Williams 2, Heath Russell 2, Joseph Hancock 1, Todd Hannam 1, Dean Biermann 1; (CSU) Andrew Dickins 3, Benjamin Browning 2, Lachlan Moore 1, Wayde Archibald 1.

Best: (TRYC) Riley Budd, Joseph Hancock, Cody Cool, Aiden Ridley, Heath Russell, Jordan Kemp; (CSU) Max Findlay, Steve Marsden, Jack Mason, Andrew Dickins, Brendan Havercroft, Sam Barrow.

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