THE Yenda Blueheelers were able to hold on to just enough momentum built from a lead in the first half to finish in a draw against the Yanco-Wamoon Hawks.
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The Yenda Blueheelers led the attack from the very first play with little the Hawks could do to slow them down.
Leading the charge they kept the pressure on the Yanco-Wamoon Hawks and ensured they would pay for every centimeter they gained.
As the two sides retired to the change rooms at halftime, the Blueheelers sat comfortably on top at 10-4.
“It wasn’t our best half of footy,” said Yanco-Wamoon coach Glenn Dumbrell.
“We were just very flat and we didn’t have a whole lot of energy and that is something that we thrive off.”
The Hawks struggled to build momentum in the first half to mount an adequate attack on the Blueheelers.
“I think it was more of a mental thing than a physical thing, it was very pedestrian,” Dumbrell said.
Facing a six-point deficit, the Hawks knew they were going to have to dig deep.
Dumbrell asked the side to pick up the energy and to rethink their strategy.
“Yenda’s a very strong-built defensive side,” Dumbrell said.
“If you go one out they’re really going to try and hit you.
“You have to go in pairs and you really have to work with what you’ve got.
In spite of recent injuries, Dumbrell felt the team was able to mount a strong assault against Yenda.
“We’ve got a really good team, but we just have to use the assets we have,” he said.
From early in the second half, Yenda increased their intensity against the Hawks and after a few questionable plays the Blueheelers continued to maintain dominance on the field.
Reading into Yanco-Wamoon’s strategy, Yenda was able to close the gaps and shut down attack after attack the Hawks threw at them.
After several tries late into the second half the Hawks were back in the match.
However Yanco-Wamoon continued to pay in blood for their advances.
Three players fell in the match including Troy Dumbrell with an injury to his ankle and Josh Higgins with a suspected broken hand.
The Hawks had several opportunities to bring the ball back into Yenda’s side of the field, but were unable to get it over the line and the game to finish the game in a 16-all draw.
