The Deni Rams brought Tocumwal crashing back down to earth on Saturday, with a 128-point smashing at the Hardinge St Oval.
After recording their first win of the Murray Football League season the week before, the Bloods went into Saturday’s match high on confidence.
However, the reigning premier proved a different proposition to Rumbalara.
Led by young skipper Nick Howe, the Rams tallied 47 scoring shots to nine on their way to their seventh win of the season.
Final score: Deniliquin Rams 25.22 (172) def. Tocumwal 7.2 (44).
Howe won plenty of midfield ball and was rewarded with three goals — one in particular saw the Rams skipper take four bounces, starting from wing.
In-form Deni onballer Ash Morris booted five majors and was as good as anyone on the ground.
Key forward Hayden Barker was impressive, as were Ricky Gittens, Troy Bartlett and second gamer Daniel Liefting.
An eight-goal-to-two first quarter set up the final result, but to the Bloods’ credit they toiled away, scoring at least one goal in every quarter.
With an 80-point margin in their favour at half time, the Rams were wasteful up forward in the third term, kicking 3.6, before straightening up with 7.4 in the last quarter.
‘‘We kept at them all day, and it was a pretty even performance for four quarters,’’ Rams coach Gary Parsons said.
‘‘Obviously the opposition have had a tough year, but they can be the danger games too.
‘‘It was just good to have a win. We’re playing with a bit of form and hopefully it will build us up with a bit of confidence to win a game or two against a top side.’’
Reece Hardwidge booted three goals in only his second senior game for Tocumwal, while playing-coach Nathan Tresize kicked two.
The visitors were led by Murray interleague player and rising star Kieren Andrew as well as Travis Haynes, Ken Chellew and Steven Poynton.
The win kept the Rams’ slim finals hopes alive, but they remain two games behind sixth-placed Finley.
Last Modified on 01/08/2012 10:45