By RUSSELL BENNETT
THE Endeavour Hills Premier Rugby side was taught a lesson in hard work and the value of experience, going down 43-20 at the hands of Footscray at home on Saturday.
The Bulldogs are a top-four Premier team and seemed to have an edge from the outset.
Endeavour Hills assistant Keith Lelisi said his side needs to learn on the run how to fight, claw, and scramble their way to victories. They need to learn to roll their sleeves up and get down to work.
“‘Hard enough’ is pushing yourself physically and mentally to a point you don’t go to very often unless it’s a life or death situation or the adrenalin for the passion you have for something that’s very important to you,” Lelisi said.
“It’s not until you experience these moments that you will get the most satisfaction out of doing something you really love.
“This week’s game really drove the message home; if we – as a Premier team – are going to salvage anything in terms of development to take into 2014, it has to be the fight to win the close ones or know what competing really means.”
Lelisi said his side had “opportunities” to turn up the pressure on their Bulldog opponents, but couldn’t maintain the pressure long enough to do it effectively.
“So, the little sparks we do have fade quickly because the opposition knows from experience what work has to be done as a team to win,” he said.
“Let’s see if we can develop some experience this week.”
With the result, Endeavour Hills is still second last on the Premier Rugby ladder with just the one win from its 13 games so far this year. The side has three games to come to round out its season and will be looking for a continued effort this week at home against Melbourne.
