The Deniliquin Rams took another step up the Murray Football League ladder with an emphatic 40 point win over second placed Moama on Saturday.
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Played in gale force winds at the Hardinge St Oval, a scintillating six goal opening term put the home side out in front and they were never headed by the Magpies.
Gun Rams recruits Hamish Shepheard and Sam Lloyd continued their rich run of form, the latter capping off a fine midfield performance with four goals.
The win was Deni’s fourth on the trot and has them well placed in fifth position on the Murray Football League (MFL) ladder, a game and a half inside the top six with four rounds remaining in the home and away season.
In front of a packed Ladies Day crowd, the Rams thankfully won the toss and kicked with the very strong wind that was favouring the council depot end.
It seemed every bit a six goal breeze and it proved correct as the Rams produced one of their best quarters of footy for the year.
The strong quarter performance was largely thanks to the ruck domination of Shepheard and the ground ball domination from veteran Ricky Gittens, Charlie Hillier and Lloyd.
Young ruckman Doug Billings also contributed with a goal, doing so after taking a strong pack mark, this being his first senior major.
The on ball brigade also contributed to the score, Lloyd and Jake Hobbs bobbing up for two and one respectively.
Not to be outdone, gun veteran Todd Gallagher marked closely to the 50m arc and was able to kick truly, leaving Moama shellshocked and scoreless for the opening term.
Deni’s back six were once again rock solid, the usual suspects Brayden Hall, Lachie Small, John Anstee, and the MacDonald brothers Lachy and Ryan were all resolute.
Returning from injury, Reid Crowe was able to transition from wing to the forward line and kick a major in his return, capping off a strong team display.
The Magpies slotted four second half goals but simply could not make much of an inroad into the Rams lead.
Final score: Deni 10.11 (71) def Moama 4.7 (31).
Goals: Sam Lloyd 4, Reid Crowe, Todd Galagher, Angus Durnan, Jake Hobbs, Charlie Hillier, Doug Billings.
Best players: Angus Durnan, Hamish Shepheard, Sam Lloyd, Ricky Gittens, Charlie Hillier, Noah Bradley.
Reserves:
Sitting third on the ladder and being the travelling side, it looked like Moama’s reserves had their work cut out for them.
The weather also played a part early on with the first quarter score for Deni reading as one goal and three behinds.
The second quarter was telling for the Rams who were able to create separation, work for one another with run and carry and eventually the local side kicked away.
Deni was able to kick three goals, giving them a handy 19 point lead by half-time.
The coaching staff emphasised the importance of playing a four quarter performance at the half and the locals were up to it.
They sealed the win with a strong performance in trying conditions to further solidify their place as a top team in this reserves competition.
They currently sit in first place and will be hoping to remain there in the run home to finals.
Final score: Deni 04.08 (32) def Moama 02.05 (17).
Goals: Ben Nisbet 2, Brock Redden, Darcy McManus.
Best players: Darcy Cullenward, Zac Free, Jack Hay, Monte Barnes, Liam Pitts, Jake Cavallaro.
Thirds:
Coming off a good week, the Rams had a strong focus on effort and work rate. The Rams started well, winning their share of contests.
By the first break the visitors had opened up a three goal lead, the game continued the same way throughout with both sides having their share of the play.
Moama’s player depth as well as some costly errors by the Rams allowed the margin to stretch to eight goals by the last break.
The Rams maintained their high effort and work rate levels throughout the match but were beaten by the better side on the day.
Next week the Rams take on another top side in Cobram.
Final scores: Moama 10.08 (68) def Deni 01.02 (8).
Goals: Ben Crossley.
Best players: Jake Herberte, Nash Suckling, Sam Crossley, Jai Park, Jack Rosbiffi, Angus McBurnie.
Fourths:
Round 14 saw the Rams take on Moama, who are currently third on the ladder.
With Rams sitting in sixth place, the group knew it would be a tough game.
And then there were the challenging weather conditions.
The Rams started the game off strong, keeping Moama to just two goals.
As the game went on, the locals struggled to get on the scoreboard.
The Deni fourths side were kept at bay with just two points scored by the final siren.
Final score: Moama 06.11 (47) def Den 0.02 (2).
Best players: Harry Nolan, Max Burge, Logan Elphick, Seth Boyer & Simon Rogan.
Under-12s:
The u12s played Tongala at home on Friday evening, for round 12 of the Goulburn Murray Junior League.
The boys worked well as a team, into the wind, showing some skilful passages of play in the first quarter and kicking an accurate three goals to nil.
In the second and third quarters, Tongala lifted their pressure around the ball and forced the young rams to panic and blaze away with some poor kicking.
The Rams added 1.6 and Tongala kicked two behinds in the second and third quarters.
At three quarter time - after a rev up from coach Wettenhall, who asked the boys to play unselfish, team orientated footy - the boys responded, kicking another three goals and keeping Tongala scoreless in the final term.
The game ended with the Rams’ seven goals from seven individual goal kickers, with Jack Murray, Angus Munro and Ollie Bull kicking their first goals for the year!
Final score: Rams 07.09 (51) def Tongala 0.02 (2).
Best players: Angus Henderson, Ned Wettenhall, Angus Munro, Sam Hay and Ollie Bull.
Goal scorers: Jack Murray, Angus Munro, Ollie Dellwo, Ollie Bull, Lachy Tritton, Ned Wettenhall, Jaxon Rothe.
Under-10s:
The Rams took on Moama Red for round 12 of the GMJL.
The first quarter saw great defence from the Rams, meaning no score from the opposition in the first.
Both teams showed great competition in the second quarter again with the Rams demonstrating some great tackling holding up the opposition.
The Rams continued to show great determination into the second half of the game resulting in three goals.
Highlights included James Massingham demonstrating great defence in the third quarter, and a clean goal from Charlie Eastman in the final quarter of the game.
The game was great for spectators with a lot of nail biting back and forth, close calls between both teams.
While not officially scored, the even contest between Rams and Moama Red resulted in a relatively low scoring game with more points than goals.
Awards: Jackson Catt, Jake Woolston, Nate Fitzpatrick, James Massingham, Gus Browne.
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