A SLOW start ultimately proved costly for the under-18 Wimmera Football League side which travelled to take on its Murray league counterpart at Moama Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
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The Murray side were nearly left to rue missed opportunities but ended the game 7.9 (51) to 7.5 (47) winners.
Coach Brendan Bryan said his side was nervous around the ball early.
“From that point on they settled well,” he said.
“You are never happy with a loss but we were proud of how the boys went about it.”
Increased pressure saw the Wimmera side keep Murray to a single point in the second quarter as the margin close to three points at half time after it was 22-points at quarter time.
“Murray had a quick and slick side,” Bryan said.
“It was high pressure and good tackling that got us back into the game.”
After trailing for the whole contest Wimmera edged in front by a couple of points deep into the last quarter before another Murray league goal gave the home side back the advantage.
“We had a lot of the play in the final few minutes but could not get the goal we needed,” Bryan said.
“It was an exciting contest. Both sides would take a lot out of the match.”
Jordan Delahunty, Adam Haslett and Paul Summer all played well in Wimmer’s backline to be among the best players.
Mitch Martin provided the team with good ball movement off one wing and Grady Slocombe worked hard through the middle of the ground.