Sunday Territorian

Woeful kicking tells story of defeat

- GREY MORRIS

WARATAH beat a shockingly inaccurate St Mary’s at TIO Stadium last night to continue its pursuit of a first finals campaign since 2014.

Tahs were helped by the Green Machine, who could only kick five goals from 20 deliberate shots.

But it was Tahs’ better disposal and greater efficiency which helped them win a feisty clash with their old rivals, where several incidents will come under the scrutiny of the match review panel.

Their coach Ryan Ayres is already looking forward to next week’s clash with Palmerston.

“We benefited from Saints’ mistakes in front of goal, they had some early chances to put us away and we have to learn from that,’’ he said.

“Now it’s a matter of recovering from this match, learn what we did wrong and how to get better, that’s the plan going forward.’’

It took 14 minutes for the first goal of the match, James Wray’s long goal at the airport end opening his side’s account after a series of forward thrusts by both sides came to nothing.

St Mary’s wasted several scoring opportunit­ies in the first quarter, Ryan Smith in his 150th game kicking into the only player in front of him when a metre out and Shannon Rioli hitting the post.

Those goalkickin­g yips turned into a virus in the second term when Shaun Edwards, Ben Rioli in his 100th game and Mathias Liddy all missed gettable shots.

Waratah’s forward line functioned a lot better, Sam Weddell on his return was a constant threat at centre half forward and the pace of Henry Kerinaiua and Abe Ankers created some angst in the St Mary’s defence.

Tahs booted four goals in seven minutes to stretch their lead to 18 points at the main break, Jordie McKenzie’s long goal from the left forward pocket at the Michael Long Centre end of the ground the highlight. GOALS

Weddell’s third goal at the start of the third quarter shot Tahs to a 23-point lead and for all intents and purposes the game looked to be over.

St Mary’s did respond with two goals from Shaun Edwards to close to within 12 points at the last change, but Tahs always seemed in control despite the closeness of the scores.

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 ??  ?? Jake Smart
Jake Smart
 ?? Picture: JUSTIN KENNEDY ?? Saints’ Jack Long gives chase
Picture: JUSTIN KENNEDY Saints’ Jack Long gives chase

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