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We headed to Rumbalara anticipating a fierce contest and that’s exactly how it panned out. Rumba jumped out of the blocks, kicking the first goal and it took until quarter time for us to creep in front.
The midfielders were having to work hard for every possession with Fayte and Will providing plenty of the grunt work and sending the ball forward, but unfortunately it often bounced back out of our forward 50 just as quick as it went in.
The small confines of the Rumbalara home ground meant that winning the contested footy was at a premium all day and both sides shared the honours in that regard.
A change down back saw Josh Carr take up the key post at full back and he battled hard all day, again well supported by Ryan, who had his hands full early but got on top at centre half back.
Lenny Cook was prolific on the wing, giving us good drive, and Jake Clancy, who played possibly his best game for the year, just would not stop trying to single-handedly will us over the line, putting on a tackling and contested footy clinic.
We led at half time and three-quarter time, albeit by a solitary point, after not taking our opportunities in front of goal. To Rumba’s credit they kept applying the pressure and at the end of the day we were beaten by better opposition, going down by 15 points.
Back to basics this week, as we turn our attention to Barooga, who, judging by recent results, will provide us another good test heading into finals.
Rumbalara 9.4 (58) defeated Echuca United 6.7 (43)
Awards: Hip Pocket Towel - Jake Clancy. Rich River Golf Club - Fayte Belmont-Wickliffe. Roma Pizza - Josh Carr. Roma Pizza - Will Graham. Brooklyn Barbers - Lenny Cook. Murray Valley Driver Ed - Ryan Stobaus.
Echuca
Under-13 Bombers vs Shepparton Notre Gold
Very slippery conditions to start the morning’s game of footy. It was very even and very congested through the centre, both teams struggling to clear it out. Great defensive pressure from Eden and Macklan and a goal saved by Jagger.
Ben, Charlie, Will and Ollie were attacking the ball well and managed a couple of kicks to our forward line. Flynn and Jack S worked tirelessly to get it up our end. Shepp Notre scored the first. Great team play saw Arley score for Echuca.
The boys never gave up and lots of tackling by Blade, Archie and Lenny. Jack M kept his pressure up on his opponent all day and Macklan again stopped another score with a strong mark in their forward line.
Shepp were too strong on the day. Coaches told the Bombers to give it everything in the last quarter and they did. Well done boys, very proud of this team, and great year of footy.