Border Mail |
TWO years ago Myrtleford broke the longest losing sequence in Ovens and Murray league history at John Foord Oval with a rousing victory against Corowa-Rutherglen.
The Saints returned to the Roos’ home ground on Saturday and snared a win which could belatedly kick-start its season.
Myrtleford was the only winless team heading into round 6, but triumphed by 31 points to send the Roos crashing to the bottom of the ladder.
The Saints were able to bury the demons of two earlier near misses against Wodonga Raiders and Wangaratta to be aiming for back-to-back wins next round against Wodonga.
The first quarter has been one of the Saints’ best this season but they were shown up early by a fired up Corowa-Rutherglen, which raced to a 13-point lead off the back of some early dominance out of the centre.
The Saints finally settled and a brilliant solo effort from Lee Dale, which ended in a goal, was the spark needed.
Myrtleford trailed by seven points at quarter-time, but wrested control from the start of the second term.
Best on ground, Nathan Cossignani, brilliantly crumbed the ball off the pack to bring the margin back to one point.
Back-to-back goals from Dylan Pritchard handed the Saints the lead they never looked like surrendering for the rest of the game.
The Saints’ drive came in the middle of the ground from Cossignani, Dale, co-coach Brad Murray and Kristian Height.
Height was also a factor up forward to finish with three goals as did promising youngster Elijah Wales.
Focal points James Taberner and Tim Madden also made their presence felt after slow starts and Matt Spencer played his best game of the season.
A classy snap from Height put the Saints 24 points up at half-time and they proceeded to widen the gap in the third term.
The biggest margin was 39 points before the Roos prevented a morale-shattering blowout defeat.
The Roos’ cause wasn’t helped by veteran midfielder Matt Witherden leaving the ground concussed in the second term.
Myrtleford co-coach Leigh Corcoran said the win was long overdue.
“There have been some disappointing losses,” he said.
“We just knew we had to stick to the processes we’ve been working on for the last four or five weeks and through pre-season.
“We knew Corowa was good at getting their hands on the footy and getting in first.”
Corowa-Rutherglen coach Adrian Pavese said a big challenge confronted his team.
“We are sitting where we are and that is on the bottom of the ladder,” he said.
“We don’t want to be there, but until we improve in the key that is where we will be.”
