There were few positives for the Dubbo Rams on Saturday but the enthusiasm of youth was something which shone bright in an otherwise disappointing evening.
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Without a raft or regulars the Rams traveled to Queanbeyan to take on an in-form Yowies outfit and the hosts proved far too strong, scoring a dominant 98-47 victory.
The Rams traveled with a squad half the size it took to some games early in the season due to injury and illness, suspension, and unavailability.
It showed on the court but coach Bart Sykes said the effort of junior players James O’Neill and Khan Barnes was a real positive for the Rams.
The pair was only confirmed to be part of the squad late on after a number of players, including an unwell Will Howell, were ruled out.
“It was a fairly tough ask with a lean squad,” Sykes said of the game.
“We had tow under 18s and they got a good workout … they were called in last minute and it was great for them to be keen enough to make the trip and it was good for us to blood them.”
The biggest thing the young players brought was energy and while the final margin was a damning one for the Rams, Sykes went as far to say the effort shown on the court was better than that of other games earlier in the season.
He added the way players work from juniors into seniors is something which needs to be improved in the near future.
“I think the association has some work to do in terms of professionalism and how we run the program,” he said.
“Hopefully the way we were competing and some of the big crowds we had early in the year will lead to that. There’s some real positives.”
In Saturday’s game, the Yowies came into it on the crest of a high having won four successive matches to launch themselves right back into the finals conversation.
On their home court, the Yowies controlled proceedings despite the best efforts of Rams star Adam Ward.
Ward scored the bulk of Dubbo’s points and never stopped working until he fouled out late in the fourth.
“And Jason Brown, for someone about 40 or 41, he payed big minutes at the point and while it looked like a blowout he limited a lot of their fast breaks,” Sykes added.
The Rams have a bye this weekend before travelling to Springwood for their final game of the season on July 28.
Springwood is guaranteed to finish with the wooden spoon this season while the Rams are certain to finish just one spot higher.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
