Trafalgar trumps Nyora

IT WAS a tough slog for Nyora as a well-drilled Trafalgar side came away with a 108-point victory.

Nyora started flat and it took the first half for the Saints to adjust to the windy conditions at the Trafalgar Recreation Reserve.

The wind favoured Nyora’s kicking end in the first quarter.

The wind factor affected Trafalgar’s scoreline, as it kicked three goals and nine behinds.

Nyora’s backline was also responsible for a few of Trafalgar’s early missed opportunities.

Tyler Kirkbridge and Jesse Heylen were strong presences in the defence.

Ten minutes into the first quarter, Luke Ferguson also came off the bench and joined the defence.

An elder statesman of the game, Ferguson settled the play down back and proved to be a calming influence.

The change of ends changed the game for Nyora, as Trafalgar wisely used the wind to its advantage.

Trafalgar exhibited excellent game structure and strategy, kicking away to a 61-point lead at half time.

A chat with coach Daryl Swinburne saw a new-look Nyora team step out for the third quarter.

Will McGindle was moved from the backline up forward, providing a bigger body to distract Trafalgar’s number one backman.

This move allowed more breathing room for the small forwards.

The play settled for Nyora and the Saints managed to win the quarter.

However, the third-quarter momentum was not enough to pull the game back into Nyora’s favour.

Trafalgar continued to hit its targets in the fourth quarter to establish its dominant win.

Trafalgar showed its fitness by running out the game to the end and overall demonstrated a high-level quality of play Nyora will continue to strive for. 

Nyora will be playing Buln Buln in its second away game in a row next week.

It will be another tough game, but Nyora has relished playing the stronger sides to establish where it sits in the league.