The Deni Rams tumbled out of the Murray League’s top six with a disappointing performance on the road against Cobram on Saturday.
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The visitors squandered a seven point half-time lead and at times struggled to match the Tigers’ pace and spread.
A four-goal third term kicking with the breeze had Cobram 16 points up at the final change.
As the rain started tumbling down to start the last quarter, the Rams were always going to struggle to bridge the gap.
Disappointingly, the Rams could only muster just one goal for the second half, going down by 17 points, Cobram 8.11 (59) to Deniliquin 6.6 (42)
The Tigers kicked with the breeze in the first quarter and had two goals on the board before Sam Lloyd marked and goaled for the Rams.
It was a dour opening, with both defences dominating and repelling the forward thrusts.
By far Deni’s best footy came in the second stanza, as Hamish Shepheard dominated the ruck and on-ballers Will Henderson and Todd Gallagher crashed some packs and cleared a path forward.
Harry Hillier pushed forward to mark and goal and when Lloyd kicked his second the Rams were up and about.
Angus Durnan gave the Rams a strong target up forward and Brayden Hall dominated the defensive half with some big intercept marks.
Returning big man Bryce Scoullar took a strong mark and goaled from about 15m out on the angle, and then Charlie Hillier goaled on the run and Deni had the lead.
The Tigers weren’t done and their four-goal third quarter was too much for the Rams, with Luca Allen dominating with his pace and ball movement.
When forward Matt DeMaio took a strong mark and kicked truly, the game was well in favour of the Tigers late in the third term as rain clouds gathered overhead.
The last term was difficult for both teams and neither side was able to kick a goal in the wet conditions, the Tigers triumphant.
Final score: Cobram 8.11 (59) def Deni 6.6 (42).
Goals: Sam Lloyd 2, Charlie Hillier, Angus Durnan, Bryce Scoullar.
Best players: Hamish Shepheard, Will Henderson, Todd Gallagher, Angus Durnan, Brayden Hall, Sam Lloyd.
Reserves:
The Rams boys had all the ball in the first quarter, with Ben Nisbet kicking three goals and three behinds.
Then the points came flooding in with a breeze that was strong at times but still not enough for the Rams to find a goal in the second.
Having all the ball, the back line was the key to the win, running the ball out with smart ball movement.
Some of the younger boys run was good to watch as we kicked away from Cobram, but the last quarter was our best, using run and carry, linking up hand giving our forwards a chance to convert.
Final scores: Deni 8.20 (68) def Cobram 4.3 (27).
Goals: Ben Nisbet 4, Jack Hay, Aiden Free, Kai Hillier, Jayden Pitts.
Best players: Jack Hay, Darcy Cullenward, Miller Fitzpatrick, Brock Redden, Bailey Townsend, James Bradford.
Thirds:
The Rams thirds travelled to Cobram to face another top three side.
The Tigers are a real premiership contender and while the Rams are much younger overall, they looked forward to testing themselves against one of the leagues best.
The Rams began well and in the first quarter they were able to match Cobram in effort and attack on the ball early.
As the quarter went on the Tigers began to get on top but pressure from the Rams and inaccuracy kept the margin to six points at quarter time.
The home side came out firing in the second term and showed the visiting Rams the level required to match it with the best sides.
While there were glimpses for the Rams, there were too many costly errors and the Tigers took full advantage, opening up a 47 point lead at half-time.
The third quarter was much better for the Rams, their run and ball movement challenged Cobram, and they kept the Tigers to four goals while scoring three themselves.
The final quarter looked like the second with the Tigers again lifting and the Rams not able to match them and while the margin blew out, the Rams will take a lot from the game and will look to improve.
A bye this week will help the thirds refresh before the final three rounds.
Final scores: Cobram 18.16 (124) def Deni 4.1 (25).
Goals: Jai Park 2, Chase Bartlett, Jake Herberte.
Best players: Jake Herberte, Nash Suckling, Chase Bartlett, Jai Park, Ryder Perrin, Mitchell Grimwood.
Fourths:
Round 15 saw our under-14s take on second place Cobram, from the very first bounce the young Rams team were determined to put up a fight, making every contest a challenge for the Tigers.
At the first break the score saw Cobram leading 8-1.
It wasn’t until the final minutes of the second quarter that Cobram managed a few quick goals which extended their lead to 26 points.
However, Deni wasn’t going down without a fight, continuing to put wonderful pressure on Cobram at every opportunity.
With the tackle count proving the physicality of the young Rams team, doubling Cobrams efforts.
The final score really didn't reflect the game, Cobram taking victory in the end by more than ten goals.
Final scores: Cobram 12.9 (80) def Deni 1.1 (7).
Goals: Logan Elphick.
Awards: Harry Nolan, Tynen Rothe, Zac Grimison, Ollie Murray, Simon Rogan and Logan Elphick.
Under-12s:
The under-12s travelled to Echuca on Sunday to take on Echuca United Gold in round 13 of the GMJL.
In strong southerly conditions it was difficult to move the ball into space, eventually Rocky Sztejman broke through for a cracking goal and Rams led by seven points going into the quarter time break.
The rest of the game was quite evenly matched, some brilliant on ball work by Jaxon Rothe, Gus Burge took several strong marks and Jacob Holschier showed his strength by taking on three opponents to kick a brilliant goal in the third.
Will Crossley and Oli Bull, unlucky not to put one through the middle.
Rams were happy to run away with a seven point win and will look forward to their last home and away game of the season next Sunday.
Final score: Deni 2.5 (17) def Echuca United 1.1 (7).
Awards: Jaxon Rothe, Rocky Sztejman, Charlie Murray, Jack Murray, Kade Golds.
Under-10s:
The boys hosted Moama White in chilly conditions on Sunday, and it was a tight contest with very little separating the two evenly matched teams.
The young Rams continued their strong form and both sides could only manage two goals apiece, in what was a game dominated by defence.
Nate Fitzpatrick found the goals, while booming left footer Ed Bliss was named best on ground with another strong performance.
Other good players were Jake Taylor, Connor Manson and Ned Hussey who all received club awards.
All-in-all, another good team effort as the boys continue to show improvement under coach Eastman.
Awards: Edward Bliss, Ned Hussey, Connor Manson, Nate Fitzpatrick, Jake Taylor.
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