Horsham Saints 94 d Minyip-Murtoa 58
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MINYIP-MURTOA coach Scott Arnold has labelled his side’s loss to Horsham Saints as its worst effort for the season.
The Burras – who were vying for a top-three berth – could not match the Saints for four quarters, going down by six goals at Coughlin Park, Horsham, on Saturday.
The 14.10 (94) to 8.10 (58) result sees the Saints edge two games ahead of the Burras, in third position with three rounds to play.
“We played very poorly,” Arnold said.
“We had more inside 50s at the end of the day, but our ball use was what hurt us.
“Our ball use was really poor – they used it a lot better.
"That was our worst performance for the year by a long way.”
Just seven points separated the sides at the first change before the Saints jumped out to a 22-point lead at the major break.
Arnold said his side struggled to adapt to playing on a heavy surface.
“The players really struggled to keep their feet and change direction,” he said.
“They obviously handled the conditions better than us.”
Arnold said his side had been right in the game mid-way through the second term.
“I think we hit the front at about the 20-minute mark of the second quarter,” he said.
“Then after that they got a free kick and a 50-metre penalty from the centre.
“They got a couple late at the end of the second quarter and we were never able to bridge the gap from there.”
The Saints increased their lead marginally to 28 points at the final change and a further eight points by full-time.
Sam Clyne was named the hosts’ best player, finding support from Mat Combe, Garry Hallam and Nathan Clough.
Gavin Kelm kicked three goals, while Jacob Cooke-Harrison, Combe and Leslie Butler chipped in with two apiece.
Arnold said he believed the Burras only had three winners – defender Brylie Cameron, forward Brayden Ison and midfielder John Delahunty.
Ison was one of two Burras to kick two goals, along with Clinton Midgley.
The Burras and Saints will now have a two-week break before their next match.
The Burras will need a win to hold on to fourth spot when they host Warrack Eagles, while the Saints will visit Stawell in an attempt to sew up a top-three finish.
