
By Marc McGowan
ENDEAVOUR Hills’ embarrassing Premier One losing streak reached nine as it crumbled 41-0 to Northern at Frog Hollow Reserve on Saturday in one of its worst rugby union performances of the year.
A season that began with so much hope has spiralled out of control amid unpaid fees, injuries and work commitments, resulting in a patchwork squad being rolled out each week.
The match-up with Northern should have been welcomed by Endeavour Hills, with the visitors having saluted just five times in 12 contests in 2007.
But it was a second-rate display from the outset by Endeavour Hills, as muffed passes and sloppy decision-making continually put it under pressure.
Only an electrifying sideline burst by Seyla Khat brought the home side anywhere near attacking territory in the first half.
Other than that solo run, it was slim pickings for Endeavour Hills and Northern pounded the ball forward relentlessly.
After a relatively unproductive opening, with only a single try scored, Northern finally received reward for effort and crossed three times in a hurry to open up a 24-0 break by half-time.
It did not get any better in the second half and Northern ran in another three tries to blow the margin out further.
Endeavour Hills will have a chance for redemption at 3.15pm on Saturday when it meets winless Geelong at Frog Hollow Reserve.
Endeavour Hills’ Masters squad took another step towards defending last year’s premiership by thumping Melbourne University 28-0, while the under-16s were the only other victorious outfit at the club.