Undermanned Bloods fall to Deni

For on the field, the Bloods were told this one meant a lot for the club and they needed to play some fealess footy.

Deniliquin set the tone early in the first term kicking seven majors to nil. The backline was working very hard despite the scoreline.

The second quarter saw Toc start to move the ball around.

Kade Rowe and Leigh Morse continued their hardness at the ball during the stoppages, and the back six matched up well to provide a springboard for attack.

Strong ruck work by Andrew Dickins meant Toc was able to get first use of the ball during the stoppages.

Jordan Lavis helped keep the backline tight and, with support, only allowed three goals to be kicked before the main break.

The third quarter saw some key changes in moving Tom Barker to the backline and Glen Dominick into the middle.

It allowed Toc to get on top of the centre clearances and gain more entries into the forward 50, but they were only able to convert one goal to Deni;s four.

The final quarter saw Toc hold off a rampant Rams, who kicked three goals to two.

Strong defence and strong forward pressure saw Dominick and Ray Sutton boot a goal apiece to finish the final term.

At the end of the game Tom Barker was awarded the ‘Sandy medal’ for the best Tocumwal player for the match.

Final score: Tocumwal 3.3 (21) lost to Deni 17.10. (112).

Toc’s best: Tom Barker, Leigh Morse, Kade Rowe, Jordan Lavis, Blair Eddy, Raymond Sutton.

Goals: Glenn Dominick, Kade Rowe, Raymond Sutton.

Awards: Leigh Morse; Blair Eddy; Connor Crowley.

The Toc reserves faced off against the Deniliquin Rams, who proved too strong and won convincingly by 62 points.

Once again the boys were undermanned with a few late changes, but perfect conditions for football gave the Bloods a glimmer of hope.

The Bloods started well and were competitive in the midfield, managing to match Deni with contested possession.

The Rams were stronger when they had the ball, and were better equipped at converting goals when in possession.

As age and fitness set in, the game opened up in the second half. The Rams kicked nine goals to the Bloods' two.

Final score: Tocumwal 4.2 (26) lost to Denilliquin Rams 13.10 (88).

Despite the loss, there were some good performances from the Bloods across the ground.

Award: Foreshore Cafe - Liam Purtill; Incentive - Jessie Colstan; Farmers Arms dinner - Glyn Matters (150th game); Baldwins Thursday night dinner - Dane Maxwell.

Best: Jesse Colston, Dane Maxwell, Glyn Matters, Glenn Braybon, Ash Scott, Liam Purtill.

Goals: Dane Maxwell 2, Jarrod Saliba, Glyn Matters.

The thirds fought hard against a bigger team.

We were really good in the first half, and link up play was really great.

Unfortunately, we dropped off mentally in the second half but plenty of positive to take out of it.

Final score: Tocumwall 5.3 (33) lost to Deniliquin Rams 8.8 (56).

Best: Charlie Locke, Logan White, Liam Purtill, Pacey Haebich, Liam Sutton.

Goals: Nate Grieves 2, Logan White, Liam Sutton, Pacey Haebich.

Awards: Ed Thompson $20 award –Kane Wardlaw, Wingates $10 award – Cooper Mangion, Palmer award – Rory Shepherd.

The scoreboard looked grim for the fourths, however it wasn’t a true reflection of the boys’ efforts.

Our pressure was relentless around the contest all day and we played our best game so far as a team.

Final score: Tocumwal 0.2 (2) lost to Deniliquin 22.12 (144).

Best: Chace Brunksill, Harrison Wilson, Cooper Quick, Lewis Petersen, Heath Mansell, Archie Chellew.

Awards: Ice Creamery award – Riley Gatty, Donny Tainton $10 Canteen voucher – Chace Brunskill, Paul Quick & Peter Absolom $10 award – Archie Chellew.

The under-12s Bloods kicked off their season campaign looking good. Unfortunately they were beaten by a strong Tigers team.

Final score: Tocumwal 1.0 (6) lost to Tigers 9.5 (59).

Goals: Harvey Boake.

Awards: Cinema award – Braxton Brunskill, Sportspower award – Riley Gatty.