RAMS fall short against Vic Country

In windy conditions, the RAMS played fluent football at times often running the ball out of defence to their forward-50 but couldn’t sustain the pressure for the entirety of the contest.

The RAMS matched their opponents in the statistics, recording more clearances and only one less hard ball get but just couldn’t transfer their work to the scoreboard.

For Vic Country, they look like the team to beat these Championships after defeating Vic Metro and now the RAMS in their last two matches.
North Albury’s Anthony Miles again starred for the home side gathering 28 disposals, including eight clearances, while Ben Reid booted three goals.

The RAMS started the match determined to make it back to back wins and with the side kicking the first two goals of the match they looked on track to produce one of the upsets of the Championships.

Vic Country responded with two goals of their own and despite more inside-50’s they couldn’t capitalise on the scoreboard, heading into the first change with a one point lead.

The second term started similarly to how the first ended with Vic Country entering their forward-50 on numerous occasions but they couldn’t get past the RAMS’ defence.

A 50-metre penalty gifted the away team their first goal and with the momentum in their favour they kicked another three majors for the quarter while limiting the RAMS to a single behind.

A resurgent RAMS side came out of the halftime break determined to get back into the contest and they did exactly that kicking their first goal within five minutes of play.

Vic Country once again responded to the RAMS’ swift ball movement by kicking truly with seven minutes remaining in the term and they followed it up with another two majors to finish the penultimate quarter with a 33-point lead.

Kicking against the breeze in the final term it was always going to be a tough task for the RAMS to get back into the contest.

Vic Country did the RAMS no favours by kicking the first goal of the term and although the away side kicked another five majors to run out 66-point winners, the RAMS showed signs they can match it with the best teams in the competition.

The RAMS will take a lot out of their match as they often moved the ball from defence to their forward-50 with ease. The side will be keen to knock over Queensland in Round Three of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships on June 19.