Picola United fumbles crucial clash against Katunga

But after the main break, the Swans managed to assert themselves fully over Picola United, slamming home seven goals to three in the third term before the Blues went goalless in the last, with the final margin stretching beyond 10 goals.

Picola United coach Darby Walsh was understandably unhappy with the result.

“We went there with every intention of winning, and every belief that we could win,” he said.

“To come away with anything short of that, it was disappointing. It was a pretty close game and I think the scoreboard didn't really reflect that towards the end, but certainly that first half was pretty close.

“We lost both of our captains in the first half, so we were short two players in the second half which certainly didn't help things. I think we were just pretty out on our feet towards the end of it there and they started getting a bit of a run on.

“They had a couple of moments where they were able to pile on quite a few goals pretty quickly and we just couldn't adapt quick enough and couldn't put a stop to things quick enough.”

With the loss of co-captains Blake Jorgensen and Cody Haub, who Walsh said were two players very difficult to replace, the Blues required players to step up, with Brandon Byrne and Matt Hore earning praise from their coach for putting maximum effort in until the final siren.

“Our backline was really strong, Brandon Byrne obviously getting best on, and Matt Hore, mixing him up a little bit getting him down behind the ball was a really good move for us, too,” Walsh said.

“I think they both certainly put their hand up and tried their hardest for the whole four quarters, so that was really pleasing.

“But it wasn't even so much the lack of leadership (losing Haub and Jorgensen) — obviously they were two key, crucial players for us, a centre half-forward and an onballer, so it was pretty tough to replace them.”

The loss means Picola United occupies 10th spot on the ladder, just two games outside the finals positions, but with a crucial period coming up if it is to remain in the hunt.

"We noted that the next four weeks, including Katunga, we've got a really tough block of four crucial games there,” Walsh said.

“Obviously to lose the first one is not ideal, but we're still really confident about bouncing back next week and in the following two weeks as well. We need to win as many of these four games as we can because they're probably all around teams that are going to finish similar to us on the ladder.

“Obviously, the more wins we can get around those close teams, some of them may end up being eight-point games, but that's certainly very much the case for next week against Jerilderie.”

The Blues will take on the Demons, who are currently level on wins but sit one spot above the Blue in ninth, at home next weekend in what is shaping as a pivotal clash for both sides in the run home.

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Picola United has incurred yet another loss in the Picola District Netball League A-grade competition, going down to Katunga 26-62 away from home.

The Blues entered the clash with just one win to their name, and proved no match for the Swans (4-3-1), who obliterated their opponents by 36 points.

The opportunity for the Blues to record win number two for the season will present itself in the form of Jerilderie next week at home, with the Demons winless from their seven games so far this season.