Sport
Picola District League throws up eye-popping numbers in round seven
There were, to put it one way, some standout numbers across the Picola District League in round seven.
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Two out of seven football games across Saturday’s play were decided by more than 30 goals, while five out of seven clashes on the netball courts saw margins greater than 20.
Before getting into those matters, though, we got a stirring contest at Picola Recreation Reserve as Picola United took the fight up to Katunga.
The sharpshooting home side led its more fancied visitors at every change, but only barely lacked the firepower to stay on course for all four quarters as the Swans just got away with their fourth win of the year, 14.7 (91) to 13.4 (82).
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Picola United Seniors v Katunga Seniors. Bayley Thomas weaves his way through Photo by Aidan BriggsImage 2 of 12
Picola United Seniors v Katunga Seniors. Blake Jorgensen Photo by Aidan BriggsImage 3 of 12
Picola United Seniors v Katunga Seniors. Fraser Monahan Photo by Aidan BriggsImage 4 of 12
Picola United Seniors v Katunga Seniors. Kian Wise streams into open goal Photo by Aidan BriggsImage 5 of 12
Picola United Seniors v Katunga Seniors. Clinton Barnes Photo by Aidan BriggsImage 6 of 12
Picola United Seniors v Katunga Seniors. Picola's Cody Haub and Katunga's Samuel Arho fight over the ball in the mud Photo by Aidan BriggsImage 7 of 12
Picola United Seniors v Katunga Seniors. Nicholas Pirrie Photo by Aidan BriggsImage 8 of 12
Picola United Seniors v Katunga Seniors. Cody Haub Photo by Aidan BriggsImage 9 of 12
Picola United Seniors v Katunga Seniors. Picola's Cody Haub wraps up Katunga's Samuel Arho Photo by Aidan BriggsImage 10 of 12
Picola United Seniors v Katunga Seniors. Katunga's Aiden Harris gets a kick off under pressure Photo by Aidan BriggsImage 11 of 12
Picola United Seniors v Katunga Seniors. Cody Haub Photo by Aidan BriggsImage 12 of 12
Picola United Seniors v Katunga Seniors. Katunga's Cameron Bishop tries to get free of Fraser Monahan's tackle. Photo by Aidan BriggsCody Haub was recognised for his gallant five-goal effort as Picola United’s best, while Katunga was led by Daniel O’Loughlin (four) and Samuel Arho (three) in the gritty win.
There was another tussle to the end that caused heartbreak for winless side Rennie (0-6), who trailed Berrigan (3-2) by 19 points at the first break.
Rallying back and even assuming the lead at three-quarter-time, Chase Strawhorn’s six goals weren’t enough to secure a maiden set of points as the Saints survived, 14.6 (90) to 12.15 (87).
There was movement through the middle portion of the table as well, with Mathoura (3-2) assuming a positive win-loss record while consigning Deniliquin Rovers (3-3) to neutrality in a 28-point win.
Katamatite (5-1) and Tungamah (3-3) engaged in a ferocious — if often wayward — battle with upper echelon ramifications.
Wally Thomson’s four goals inspired a comeback that only fell short by other blown chances as the Tigers prevailed 7.9 (51) to 5.13 (43).
Jerilderie (3-3) was another to move up in a bunched middle order of the league table after comfortably dispatching Tocumwal (1-5) in a seven-goal win.
Then came the beltings, both courtesy of leading sides.
Strathmerton (6-0) struck hard and fast in annihilating Blighty (1-5), with 20 goals on the board by half time before taking the foot off in the final hour of a 30.15 (195) to 1.2 (8) mauling.
Tim Looby sought to back up his leading goalkicker award from last year with a bag of 10, taking him to a league-best 38 for 2024 — and he needed all of them after what Waaia (6-0) did.
The two-time reigning premiers put up numbers sure to make headlines in social media posts around the state, blitzing bottom side Yarroweyah (0-6) to the tune of 54 scoring shots in the first half alone.
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Claiming possession: Picola United's Georgia Barnett. Photo by Aidan BriggsImage 2 of 8
Seeking the key pass: Picola United's Jedah Huf. Photo by Aidan BriggsImage 3 of 8
Fast moving: Katunga's Rachael Crowther. Photo by Aidan BriggsImage 4 of 8
Up it goes: Katunga's Aimee Sidebottom. Photo by Aidan BriggsImage 5 of 8
Under pressure: Picola United's Emma Greaves. Photo by Aidan BriggsImage 6 of 8
Barely kept it in: Katunga's Amy Duff. Photo by Aidan BriggsImage 7 of 8
Up and in: Katunga's Sophie Kelly. Photo by Aidan BriggsImage 8 of 8
Keepings off: Katunga's Rachael Crowther. Photo by Aidan BriggsWith an astonishing 290 unanswered points to their name at the final change, the Bombers ‘only’ contributed eight straight majors in the final term to saunter home with a mammoth 52.26 (338) to 0.0 (0) triumph.
Just casually, that second half produced a dead-eye 24.0 from the home side.
No fewer than 15 goals from Charlie Burrows headlined the astonishing day out, almost doubling his season tally in a day as he moves to 32.
Over in the A-grade netball, the story was largely similar between the Bombers and Hoppers with the red and black brigade surging to a straightforward 68-14 win.
All three sides who entered round seven with perfect records maintained them to go 6-0 as Strathmerton powered past Blighty 62-38, Deniliquin Rovers breezed over Mathoura 58-16 and Katamatite accounted for Tungamah 53-28.
Katunga kept the pace one win behind the leading trio in brushing aside Picola United 56-22, while Tocumwal notched its third win at the expense of Jerilderie and Rennie pipped Berrigan by three - the same margin as the football, but the opposite result.
Sports Journalist