The Rams burst out of the blocks against Moama on Saturday, opening up an 18-point lead by the first break with some exciting early football.
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Zac Free was involved in everything up forward and looked dangerous every time the ball came his way, while Brock Redden appeared set for a huge afternoon before a hamstring strain cruelled his impact on the contest.
Moama responded strongly in the second term and worked their way back into the game, with the sides going into the main break locked level after a fierce and physical first half.
In the middle, Ben East and Aydan Matthews battled tirelessly against a quality opponent.
The second half turned into a genuine arm wrestle as both sides fought desperately for ascendancy.
The Rams midfield continued to work hard and create opportunities, but Moama’s disciplined defence made scoring difficult.
The boys threw everything at the contest in a heart-stopping final quarter and looked every chance of stealing the win, however Moama steadied late to hold on for an 11-point victory.
While it was a tough loss to swallow, the Rams will no doubt take plenty of positives and belief out of the performance against one of the competition’s stronger sides.
Jonty Tubb is wrapped up.
Best players for the Rams included Will Henderson, who continued his outstanding start to the season, along with strong contributions from Zac Free, Matt MacDonald, Jonty Tubb, Cable Fitzpatrick and Tom McCallum.
Final score: Deni Rams 7.6 (48) def by Moama 8.11 (59).
Best: Zac Free, Will Henderson, Jonty Tubb, Aydan Matthews, Steve Todd, Cable Fitzpatrick.
Reserves
Undermanned but chock full of bravado, the Rams twos took the field under a beautiful autumn sun to take on Moama in a game that was always going to be an uphill battle.
That was certainly the case after Moama piled on seven goals in the first 15 minutes, and many teams would have turned up their toes.
Not this young Rams side, though.
A goal before the end of the quarter brought some joy to the cheering crowds, a thunder that raised in crescendo as coach Brian ‘Boco’ King took the field.
Then the siren went and he came back off.
The rest of the game was pretty even.
Moama had a more effective forward line but the Jessie’s had heart, and courage, and resilience in spades.
Brett Macdonald turned back the clock with a best on ground performance, while first gamer, Jack Sides, was brutal in every contest and having the time of his life.
Lachie Holloway, Monte Barnes, Dean McDonald and Zack Thompson were clean in the contest all day and provided great movement through the middle.
We had only two injuries from this week’s game, and we should get about 11 back next week, so things are looking very good.
Final score: Deni Rams 2.2 (14) def by Moama 17.9 (111).
Goals: Jack Sides, Zack Thompson.
Best: Brett Macdonald, Jack Sides, Lachie Holloway, Zack Thompson, Monte Barnes, Dean Macdonald.
• Reports for other grades will be included in Friday’s Pastoral Times.
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