Endeavour Hills star Tim Finau had another quiet day in the club’s 20-10 defeat to Moorabbin on Saturday.By Marc McGowan
A SECOND Victorian Rugby Union Premier One victory is not far away for Endeavour Hills if Saturday’s performance against Moorabbin is any gauge.
Facing a side that had won two of its four matches so far this season, the Hills was gallant, but ultimately unsuccessful in succumbing 20-10.
Neither team scored in the first half, but the game opened up in the final 40 minutes.
Moorabbin hit the scoreboard first, running in two tries – both unconverted – to break out to a 10-0 lead.
But Endeavour Hills was unperturbed, with firstly skipper Presley Naea and then Ahli Shadrock responding with scores of their own to level the contest.
The match remained deadlocked inside the last five minutes of the outing before Moorabbin produced the match-winning try to steal a 17-10 advantage.
The Hills continued to charge forward, but a penalty in the final few seconds extended the home club’s buffer, snuffing out any hope of an upset result.
Naea reacted in the best way possible to coach Jeff Lemalu’s criticism last week with an impressive display, while Lou Folau, Nepa Faimoa and Aaron Skipworth all shone.
Faimoa made his first appearance of 2008 after receiving a six-game ban last season.
Fly-half Tim Finau was quiet again and as a barometer of the Hills’ success, he will need to lift if it is to improve.
Despite suffering his fourth defeat in five rounds since taking over the coaching reins, Lemalu was pleased with his players’ effort.
“It was a very good game on Saturday. We lost the game, but it was a big improvement from last week,” he said.
“Our defence was lacking against Footscray (the week before), but our defence and communication was very good against Moorabbin.
“We lost our focus in the last five minutes and they got a try over us and the penalty and that was it for the game.
“We need to be focused for 80 minutes – not for 60 or 70.”
Endeavour Hills is away again this weekend, battling Melbourne at 3.15pm on Saturday at Romanis Reserve in Prahran.
