Rams pay price for poor second quarter

Rockingham Rams slumped to their third loss in a row last Sunday when they were comfortably beaten by South Mandurah, 20.18 (138) 12.6 (78), at Anniversary Park.

A costly second quarter hurt the Rams, who were looking to get back to winning ways after losses to Waroona and Pinjarra in the previous fortnight.

The contest began closely, with the Rams down by nine points at quarter-time.

But in a second-quarter blitz from the Falcons, the visitors booted seven goals to Rockingham’s one, effectively ending the game.

With a mountain to climb in the second half, Rockingham showed fight to match their opponents but the damage inflicted in the second term was too great, with the Rams losing by 60 points.

Coach Scott Franklin lamented his team’s uncharacteristically bad second quarter.

“We just didn’t compete, we didn’t stick our head over the footy, we didn’t do the things that we have been doing all year,” Franklin said.

“We are hoping it’s just a one-off and a glitch. They just outworked us and outran us and won the contested footy as well.”

The nature of the game showed parallels to the first clash between the sides in April in which the Rams did the damage early before running out comfortable winners.

While the points went to South Mandurah this time, Franklin said he was pleased to see his side didn’t throw in the towel at half-time.

“Our two captains, Rocky Collins and Steve Kenny, were outstanding,” he said.

“Cecil Edgill played his first league game after a couple in the reserves and he was brilliant as well.”

Rockingham face the Mandurah Mustangs on Sunday in another big game at Anniversary Park.

Bouncedown is at 2.30pm.