Deni Rovers bounced back onto the winning list on Saturday when they defeated Rennie by 25 points at Rennie’s home ground.
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The ground was a little wet in spots after the rain, but a breeze down the ground made ball handling a little difficult.
Rennie kicked with the breeze in the first quarter, but Rovers scored the match’s first goal after Tyson Willis converted after a free kick.
This was the first of Willis’ four goals for the game and he was a constant danger to the Rennie defence.
Rovers did reasonably well in the first quarter to trail by five points after kicking against the breeze.
The second quarter saw Rovers get on top when they kicked 4.4 to Rennie’s 1.2 to give them a lead of 15 points at half-time.
However, the game was still relatively even, with Rennie applying plenty of physical pressure.
The third quarter was dominated by Rennie, and they slammed on six goals with the aid of the breeze.
Rovers were aided by the fact that they kicked three goals of their own to limit the damage.
Coach Alex Hay and Hayden Barker kicked steadying goals just when it looked like Rennie could kick away.
As it was, their lead of only one point at three-quarter time didn’t appear to be enough, with Rovers having last use of the breeze.
The last quarter was very pleasing for Rovers supporters, with the young side standing up to the challenge and then kicking 5.3 for the quarter to clinch a very important victory.
Rovers did not play their best football but battled through and played well when the game had to be won.
Rennie played well and applied plenty of pressure in tough conditions, so it was part of the development process to win ‘ugly’ when not everything is going your way.
The side faces another important game against Katunga next Saturday, who are currently fourth on the ladder.
Better players on Saturday included youngsters Logan Leiper, who revelled in the conditions, Liam East who played very well on a half-back flank and Tyson Willis with his four goals.
Hay was a great leader all day and kicked three goals at crucial stages in the game.
Brendan Hope played a solid defensive game at full-back, while Adam Bodey played well in his first senior game for the season and marked and competed well around the ground.
Hayden Barker got through the game after several weeks off with a calf injury, and the club will be hoping for more players on the injury list to come back into the side over the next couple of weeks.
Final score: Deni Rovers 14.13 (97) def Rennie 11.6 (72).
Goal kickers: Tyson Willis 4, Alex Hay 3, Cam Wills 2, Logan Ives, Ben McCalman, Hayden Barker, Jack Pekin, Jackson Muldoon-Leetham.
Best players: Logan Leiper, Liam East, Tyson Willis, Alex Hay, Brendon Hope, Adam Bodey.
Awards: Physiofit with Britt - Logan Leiper, Deni RSL - Alex Hay, Frank n Beans - Liam East, Intersport Deniliquin - Tyson Willis, Myo on the Move - Adam Bodey, Smoko Shak - Brendan Hope.
Reserves:
The reserves also rebounded to score a 60-point win.
The third quarter was the Rovers’ best when they kicked 7.5 to break away from a determined opponent to establish a good lead and eventually a comfortable win.
Tristan Fitzsimmons was an important focal point up forward and kicked five goals with strong leading and marking.
Better players included Dylan Mills in the ruck, Connor Didcock, Tristan Fitzsimmons, Matt Wade (three goals), Matt Horne and Hayden Gardiner.
Final score: Rovers 12.15 (87) def Rennie 4.3 (27).
Goal kickers: Tristan Fitzsimmons 5, Matthew Wade 3, Ben Littmann 2, Aden Bermingham, Harry Mcilwain.
Best players: Dylan Mills, Connor Didcock, Tristan Fitzsimmons, Matthew Wade, Matthew Horne, Hayden Gardiner.
Awards: Cin’s Remedial Massage - Dylan Mills, Deni RSL - Connor Didcock, Frank n Beans - Tristan Fitzsimmons, Barber & Threadz - Matthew Wade, Wired Entertainment - Hayden Gardiner, Myo on the Move - Harry Mcilwain and Smoko Shak - Jaidyn Druitt.
~ Junior reports in Friday’s edition.
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