By Marc McGowan
ENDEAVOUR Hills produced a much-improved display before conceding two late tries on its way to a 27-17 defeat to Footscray at Henry Turner Reserve on Saturday.
The respectable loss comes after Endeavour hills meekly surrendered 54-3 in the previous Rugby Union Victoria round to the rampaging Box Hill.
Saturday’s match was a tight scrap from the outset, with neither side giving an inch.
A Rocky Ata drop goal levelled the game at 10-10 and that scoreline took the teams to half-time.
The second of Tapu Ioane’s two tries in the second half, which was converted by Ata, handed Endeavour Hills a 17-15 lead, and the visitors continued to push hard to increase the buffer.
The turning point came when the referee penalised Endeavour Hills for an off-side infringement when it was threatening to score, and Footscray took full advantage.
The home side scored on its next possession – with just nine minutes left – and went over again soon after to seal the result.
Endeavour Hills coach Mark Thompson was pleased with his squad’s response to the previous week’s dismal performance.
“After the hiding they got they came back really well, and most sides I don’t think would have come back from that,” he said.
“That just means we have to work a little harder and just keep going down the path we’re going down.”
Endeavour Hills’ effort was even more noteworthy considering it had just two reserves on the bench.
“We only had 17 guys left, so I’m really proud of the team and it was good result,” Thompson said.
“It is not a good result to lose, but a good result in that we took them so far.”
Premier One has a one-week hiatus this Saturday due to the Bledisloe Cup match between Australia and New Zealand.
But Endeavour Hills could have up to three players in the Eastern Suburbs’ Pillar Cup side when that competition begins this weekend, with Lewis Leamoana, Tim Finau and David Muliaga in contention.
Endeavour Hills resumes Saturday week when it it travels to Romanis Reserve in Prahran to face Melbourne at 3.15pm.
Hills fights hard for respectable loss
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