Deniliquin Rams seniors coach Ash Morris has praised his side for their performance against Moama in Murray League action on Saturday.
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We were outplayed in the first quarter with only a point on the board at quarter time, but we adapted well and played well for the remaining three quarters.
Our back six won their one-on-ones all day, with Mick Barnett again leading the way.
Our midfield battle was strongly led by Sam Lloyd, Will Henderson and Jake Hobbs.
We still have a bit of work to do with our forward entries and efficiency to make the most of our inside 50s.
Zac Free’s forward pressure is becoming infectious within the group.
Final score: Rams 10.15 (75) def Moama 3.10 (28).
Best players: Sam Lloyd, Mick Barnett, Jake Hobbs, Will Henderson, Charlie Hillier and Zac Free.
Goals: Angus Durnam 3, Will Henderson 2, Charlie Hillier, Jake Hobbs, Zac Free, and Bailey Townsend.
Reserves:
It was another good win, as we travelled down the highway to settle a score with Moama.
It was a solid four-quarter performance from all 22 of the boys.
We couldn’t ask for anything better as it got a little heated.
The boys responded with discipline and played footy, piling on the goals in the third quarter.
It let the boys enjoy the last quarter, as many of the boys had never beaten Moama before.
It was good to see the smiles in the rooms.
Final score: Rams 10.12 (72) def Moama 3.4 (22).
Best players: Lachlan Osborne, Ben East, Jack Tyndall, Tom McCallum, James Bradford and Reece Hussey.
Goals: Aiden Free 2, Brett Macdonald 2, Darcy McManus 2, Jack Tyndall, Ben Nisbet, Ben East and Luke Todd.
Thirds:
The Rams took the short trip down the highway to take on rivals Moama.
Our thirds had put in a solid start to the season and looked forward to the challenge of playing one of the league’s best.
The game started with a high level of intensity, with both sides on top at different times, but it was the locals who settled first and opened the scoring.
Moama’s dominant midfield took control and, at the first break, held a 25-point lead.
The Rams fought back in the second term, lifting their work rate around the ground and hitting the scoreboard to bring the half-time margin back to 14 points.
The second half began, and this time Moama lifted while the Rams struggled to maintain their pressure.
The locals kicked five goals to the Rams one and opened up a 39-point lead at the last break.
Moama dominated the final quarter, kicking 5.5 while holding the Rams scoreless to win by 74 points.
While it was a big final margin, the thirds competed well at stages and now know the level needed to challenge the best sides.
The Rams now have the bye and will look forward to a stronger effort next up.
Final score: Rams 3.2 (20) def by Moama 14.10 (94).
Best players: Jake Herberte, Charlie McCallum, Charlie Bull, Sam Crossley and Jai Park.
Goals: Chase Bartlett, Jai Park and Doug Billings.
Fourths:
The Rams under-14s team always knew their match against Moama would be a tough one, so it was no surprise when Moama was the first on the scoreboard.
Last year’s premiers were definitely a more experienced side, but the Rams’ determination kept Moama to just one point in the second term.
At half-time, the Rams were only trailing by five points.
Moama gave it their all in the third quarter, with the Rams failing to get a score on the board.
However, it was in the final quarter that the Rams had every opportunity to pinch the win, with the ball in their forward line the majority of the time.
Unfortunately the win went in favour of Moama.
Final score: Rams 2.4 (16) def by Moama 4.7 (31).
Awards: Tynen Rothe, Archer Moodie, James Gatacre, Zac Grimison and Will Armytage.
Goals: Will Armytage and Ollie Ives.
Under-12s:
Under-12 boys faced Echuca United Eagles Gold on a very warm Sunday afternoon at home for round one.
It was a big step up for the bottom-age boys, who ran out on a full field for the first time and they loved it.
Rams led from the start finding the key target Jacob Holschier frequently in full forward.
Echuca United Gold fought hard at the end of the first quarter, but they finished scoreless and Rams led 14-0 at quarter time.
Echuca Gold gained momentum in the second quarter with a couple of quick goals and continued to apply pressure, but the Rams boys continued to fight back, with some fabulous midfield work by Rocky Sztejman and Lachie Tritton.
Score was 32 to 13 at half-time.
The boys running was commendable, some great passages of play and hard tackles on a big opposition.
Goals kept flowing the second half and it was very entertaining to watch Jacob Holschier snag five and Tom Marshall who was rotated through the middle and forward line kicked four.
The Rams ran away with solid win.
Final score: Deni Rams 62 def Echuca United Gold 20.
Awards: Ollie Dellwo, Rocky Sztejman, Jacob Holschier, Henry Pisasale and Tom Marshall.
Under-10s:
Deni’s youngest Rams started their season in impressive fashion on Sunday kicking against the visiting Runnymede Rebels.
The game was played in good spirits and players from both sides should be commended on the way they attacked the ball.
Rams coach Jack Eastman had his boys firing after a couple of solid weeks on the training track, and none more so than power forward Jed Fitzmaurice claiming the Intersport Best on Ground award.
Other key players were Nate Fitzpatrick, Edward Bliss, Leroy ‘Fizz’ Fisicaro and Chase Dunn.
Great job boys. This Sunday we play the Echuca Bombers at our home ground again.
The under-10s games are not scored.
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