Blues fall victim to Kat attack

With only one defeat to its name, Katandra was sure to provide a difficult test for the Blues and so it proved in the opening quarter, as the home side burst to the front with a 5.6 (36) opening term.

Picola could manage only one goal in reply and trailed by 30 at the first break.

The second period brought more positive signs for the Blues, as they kicked three goals, and kept the Kats to a point throughout the term.

The game was on at half-time, Katandra remaining in the lead, by eight points.

Both teams had moments in the third period, but Katandra had the edge more often, finding the goal four times to the Blues' two and restoring a 24-point advantage at the final break.

Neither side distinguished itself in the last, Katandra creeping slightly further in front to score a 12.18 (90) to 8.11 (59) win.

Despite the loss, Hayden Brown led all scorers with four goals for Picola United, bringing his total to 30 for the season.

The club’s leading goal-kicker this season, Cody Haub (43), was one of four Blues with one each.

For Katandra, both Thomas Jeffrey and Corey Hickford kicked three.

Although recently right in the top four mix, two straight losses for Picola have made the valuable finals double chance an unlikely prospect.

The Blues sit in sixth, in the centre of two other teams who are also 8-5 on the year, Tungamah and Deniliquin Rovers.

That group is two games back from fourth-placed Berrigan, but do each hold a game in hand over the Saints, who are yet to have their bye.

With only three rounds to go, making up that difference, including in percentage terms, will be tough for the Blues.

Picola will take heart from the fact that all three of its remaining opponents, Strathmerton, Katunga and Mathoura, sit outside the finals places.

The Blues host the Bulldogs at Picola Recreation Reserve on Saturday.