The Yarrawonga under 14s knew they were in for a challenge when they travelled to the Albury Sportsground to take on the Tigers on their home patch.
With a slick Albury outfit, the Yarra boys gave all they had to creating a contest at every opportunity.
With the Pigeons defence under constant pressure, the young group battled gallantly all day against a super team in the Tigers.
It was pleasing to see the Yarra boys translate some game style they have been training for and looked impressive with fast and accurate ball movement at times.
They were asked at the start of the game to always do the team things and bring every player into the contest. They did this with unselfish attack and some slick handball.
This helped to open up the game on occasion and allowed Tom Conway space in the forward line to mark strongly 25 meters out and slot the Pigeons only major for the day.
A few of the boys were asked to play a different role than they usually would, and they did so enthusiastically in the best interest of the team, probably none more so than Billy Stevens who sacrificed his usual game style to help shut down some Tiger run out of the middle.
The Pigeons welcomed back Darcy Skehan (calf) and Dec Reeves (broken arm) into the line-up and it was great to have more support.
The boys can be proud of the way they battled it out the end.
Goals: Tom Conway.
Awards: Club Award - Harry Wren, YMH Socks - Jai Webster and Wingates - Billy Stevens.
Under 16s
Albury 4.7, 8.8, 12.14, 17.18.120.
Yarrawonga 2.1, 3.3, 5.4, 8.4.52.
Goals: Albury: Bailey Moore 4, Riley O’Sullivan 4, Lachlan Reid 2, Felix Clark 1, Darcy Ferguson 1, Archie Kreutzberger 1, Blake Morgan 1, Lachlan Wheatley 1, Ed Williams 1, Lucas Williams 1.
Yarrawonga: Mitch Tyson 2, Declan Wood 2, Isiah Benson 1, James Cummins 1, Charlie Hargreaves 1, Lachlan Lee – Conway 1.