A 'monster' performance from Rob Dewar almost led the Dubbo Rams to a stunning upset win over the Illawarra Hawks on Saturday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On the back of Dewar's massive 43-point haul, the Waratah League's bottom side pushed the second-placed Hawks the entire four quarters before falling to a 73-69 loss at the Woolshed.
The result means the Rams remain winless at the foot of the ladder but player-coach Damien Reid said there was still every reason for his side to keep its head up.
"Really, I couldn't be happier with the effort," Reid said.
"In the last couple of seasons we've been guilty of playing one bad quarter that has cost us but from start to finish the effort and intensity was there.
"That's a massive positive."
READ ALSO:
The Rams had their chances to win too and while it was near-impossible to criticise Dewar, Reid said even the Canadian big man himself would admit his free-throw shooting wasn't at its best.
The Hawks sunk almost all their free-throws, especially late on, and escaped Dubbo with the victory.
No Illawarra player scored more than 20 individual points, making it clear Dewar was the standout player in the game.
"He is a monster," Reid said of the seven-foot Dewar.
"In all my years of playing State League I've never seen someone dominate a game the way he did.
"Even he'd say his foul shooting was pretty ordinary but from everywhere else he couldn't miss.
"He was matched up pretty well. They didn't have anyone quite as tall as him but they were physical ... he just took it in his stride and you can see from the scores they couldn't stop him."
Dewar may have dominated the Dubbo scoring but the Rams took other positives for the game.
The Dubbo side is a young one this season and while that has affected consistency each game, Reid has no doubt the minutes will benefit the players moving forward.
I think the young guys deserve as much praise as Rob does.
- Rams' Damien Reid
"We've had the same guys contributing each week and that's been handy for us," Reid said, before focusing on the four teenagers who took on the Hawks.
"Nic Conte was out injured and Brian Amos is still out so the young guys really stood up.
"They're getting that experience and exposure of high-level. and I think the young guys deserve as much praise as Rob does."
The Rams are at home again this weekend and welcome the Wagga Heat to the Woolshed.
The Heat have only one win to their name in 2019 and will head to Dubbo having suffered a 22-point loss to the Canberra Gunners on the weekend.
Do you want more sport from the Dubbo region? Sign up to our daily newsletter here:
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.
