RAMS fire late in Mildura

The Rams, who were yet to register a TAC Cup win in Season 2014, faced a struggling Bendigo Pioneers outfit, who had only recorded one victory themselves throughout the year.

Hopes were high on both sides of the coin, with each outfit desperate for a win, in the mid part of the season.

It was a tight first term, as both sides tried to stamp their authority on the match. However, scoreboard pressure proved difficult to come by, with both sides missing relatively easy chances on goal.

It was the Pioneers however, who took a slender lead into the first break, following their two-goal to one, first term.

After showing such promise and fight throughout their previous matches against more fancied opponents, the Rams had a second quarter to forget.

A lack of defensive pressure, and an overall lapse in concentration across the ground cost NSW/ACT dearly, as they let Bendigo kick away in the second term.

The Pioneers piled on six goals to the Rams solitary one point, and took a comfortable 42-point lead into the main change.

The Rams came out after halftime, looking to make amends for a poor showing in the earlier part of the game, and showed glimpses of brilliance throughout the third term.
Despite this, the Pioneers answered the NSW/ACT challenge, with each side failing to capitalise on the scoreboard. It was a familiar story thought, with both sides kicking just one goal a piece for the quarter.

The final term required an inspired performance if NSW/ACT were to come close to a Bendigo outfit, now full of confidence.

The Rams fired out of the blocks, placing pressure on every Bendigo possession. The Rams continued to pepper their forward 50, and rebounded effectively almost every time the Pioneers looked to enter their forward half.

The Rams kicked five goals from 10 scoring shots in the final term, however it proved not to be enough, with Bendigo kicking two of their own final quarter goals to run out 17-point victors.

After outscoring the Pioneers in the second half of the match, it proved to be a disappointing result for the Rams, after letting themselves down in the second term.
Jack Steele continued his outstanding form at TAC Cup level, kicking two goals and finding himself in the best players for the Rams once again.

Callum Mills also impressed, showing great composure under pressure, while Jordan Foote seems unstoppable, finding himself in the best players for the Rams week in, week out, as well as electrifying at Swans Reserves level.

First-gamer Tim Coenen proved his worth for the Rams, after putting together numerous best-on performances at club level for the UNSW-ES Bulldogs.

The 16-year old played age up, but seemed at home in Rams colours, providing pure class and hardness through the middle part of the ground.

NSW/ACT now enjoy a much-deserved week off, before facing the Calder Cannons on Saturday, June 14 in the curtain raiser to the highly anticipated Swans vs. Port Adelaide match at the SCG.

Match Centre:
NSW/ACT Rams: 1.3     1.4     2.7    7.12 (54)
Bendigo Pioneers: 2.1     8.4     9.5     11.5 (71)

Goals: Jack Steele 2, Zac Johns, Michael Mattingly, Nick Foster, Zac Fyffe

Best: Michael Mattingly, Jordan Foote, Callum Mills, Jack Steele, Tim Coenen, Liam Griffiths.

Saturday, 31 May at Mildura.