Echuca Moama United Masters vs Woodend-Hesket Masters Football Club.

The big Orange bus trekked down to Kyneton for its first away trip for the season. A great day for football along with good numbers travelling was an encouraging start for coach, Bruce McCahon in preparation for an epic battle.

Echuca’s big men Duane Kelly, Justin Voss and Stewart Young had an immediate impact with some classic tap rucking and key position marks. Against the breeze in the 1st quarter the EMU’s were 4 goals down at quarter time and the key message at quarter time was to stop the run of Woodend Hesket.

Darryl Koots, Chris Blake and Kevin Dunque provided the run in the second quarter and with some accurate kicking by John Smythe and James Walsh the EMU’s began to claw back the first quarter deficit. With an inspirational play form Francis Obrien changing the games momentum, Francis received a tap down from the ruck, hand balled off to Peter Spencer received back and evaded several opposition, slotting` through a goals from 45 meters out. Francis’s celebration afterwards were that to rival a soccer players.

Chris Hagan continued on his great form from last week running and linking with Geoff Abella to drive the ball forward. Half time saw the Emu’s down by 2 goals.

Kevin Pascoe made some tactical half time moves to the board bringing Adam Ricther and Darren Syaranamul into the game. The third quarter pressured our back line, Damien Hammond, Garner Smith and Peter Spencer and the home team scored several times with the breeze. Despite this the EMU’s kept driving the ball forward with Deanne Saunders and Billy Smith linking together to score.

With bigman Justin Voss out due to a hamstring strain the coach had to make a small move to the board, placing Aaron Prewett into the ruck. Oliver Orange and Troy Ramsey kept contesting all day getting in and under the packs.

The last quarter did not go the EMU’s way with Woodend-Hesket running out winners. The game was played in great spirits and umpired excellently.