In control: Jordan Munro on the ball against Seymour: Photo: Wayne Herring
Revenge is a powerful emotion, one that can do more harm than good.
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The Breakers’ chance to get one over their 2022 North-East CBL grand final adversaries slipped through their fingers on Sunday afternoon at Shepparton Sports Stadium.
The Breakers suffered their first defeat of the 2023 season, their first loss since Seymour claimed the title over Benalla.
The loss may sting, but the Breakers remain league leaders after defeating Mansfield in the first leg of their double-header weekend.
Benalla travelled to Mansfield Secondary College to take on the Eagles for the second time this season.
In their previous meeting, Benalla produced a 66-point win.
This time out, it was a closer affair.
Benalla got off to a strong start, outscoring its opponent by 13 points in the first quarter.
Looking ahead: Tom Downie looks for a teammate. Photo: Wayne Herring
After the break, the Eagles went toe-to-toe with Benalla, claiming the spell by a point.
Benalla was back to its dominant self in the third quarter, extending its lead to 24 points.
The Eagles swooped back into the game in the final quarter of the game, outscoring Benalla by nine points.
It was too little too late, however, and the Breakers claimed a 15-point victory.
Benalla was the favourite going into the 2022 grand final rematch, but the Blasters are dangerous when they have their backs against the wall.
One handed: Lachlan Kego looks to get the ball up court. Photo: Wayne Herring
Seymour and Benalla went shot for shot in the first quarter and neither side could pull away.
The scoreboard read 15-all at the end of the first quarter.
Seymour stepped up after the break, controlling the play against the league leader.
Blasters youngster Eden Hobbs stepped up to the occasion and hit the scoreboard regularly.
Seymour led the Breakers by seven points at half-time.
The Blasters continued to pull ahead in the third quarter and had a lead of 10 points going into the final spell.
Under pressure: Harry Stones gets a shot off despite Benalla's Eric Miraflores’ best efforts. Photo: Wayne Herring
The Blasters looked invigorated against Benalla in the fourth quarter.
The away side dominated the final spell, nearly doubling the Breakers’ efforts.
Benalla may be top of the league, but against its grand final adversaries, the result was the same.
Seymour won, 54 to 73.
Hobbs led the scoring with 20 points on the board.
Benalla’s talisman, Lachlan Kego, was kept relatively quiet, only scoring 13 points.
Benalla will play one game this week at Wangaratta against the Warriors on Saturday night.
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