When it drizzles rain for the entire clash and is slippery under foot and overhead a win is a satisfactory result no matter how good the opposition is and what the final scoreline is.
So in this case undefeated Kyabram and United, withone win for the season, battling it out in constant rain for a 67-point winning margin was still a good day’s work for the home side.
Given Kyabram had four of its best players — Mick Mattingly, Brad Whitford, Jason Morgan and Anthony Depasquale — watching from the sidelines it was a result most sides would take.
United played better than its second last position on the ladder indicated and challenged Kyabram at times with its persistency.
But the Bombers were a bit more desperate and were never challenged on the scoreboard, getting a kick-start from forward Charlie Barnett who kicked three of Kyabram’s five first-quarter goals.
Barnett finished with four goals and along with Coby McCarthy (three), Riley Ironside, Aidan Robinson and Archie Watt, all with two goals, applied the scoreboard pressure to the visitors.
Kyabram’s engine room again stood tall despite the absence of Mattingly with ruckmen Zac Norris and Aidan Robinson prominent again and on-ballers and midfielders Archie Watt, Jack Russell, Kaine Herbert, McCarthy and Eamonn and Liam Ogden getting a good share of the Sherrin.
Josh Dillon in his 100th senior game again set the example in endeavour as he usually does.
Co-skipper Robinson was the best aerialist afield and took some strong overhead marks despite the tricky conditions.
In his second appearance for the Bombers McCarthy’s ability to win the hard ball and kick accurately were a pleasant sight for Ky fans.
The gifted Watt handled the conditions as if they were dry and Tom Holman, who was used at both ends of the ground, did plenty of constructive work.
But all the Kyabram players had a crack and never took a backward step.
The constant pressure Kyabram imposes on rival sides has been relentless this year and was a big part of its 15th successive win on Saturday.
But the party is now over as far as taking on the battling sides of the competition with certain finalists Mansfield, Echuca and Shepparton Swans, all away games, to meet after the Bombers rest with the bye this week.
My best for Kyabram were: Archie Watt, Jack Russell, Zac Norris, Coby McCarthy, Aidan Robinson, Eamonn Ogden, Charlie Barnett, Riley Ironside.
· Kyabram reserves got the day off with an unfortunate United forfeit, but the thirds were winners again, although not convincingly.
United hung in and was only a couple of kicks from hitting the front in the last term before returning skipper Tyler Norman and Tyler Doolan kicked goals to provide breathing space and a 17-point win.
Norman in only his fourth game for the season starred and was best afield.
Oscar Carver at full-back and midfielders Nick Smart, who tackled ferociously, Doolan and Cooper O'Neill, with some vital goal assists, were other Kyabram players who were prominent in engineering the win which kept the team in second place on the ladder.
Hamish Stewart’s three goals were also a vital contribution in the tightly-contested clash.
Kyabram co coach Peter Ryan said it was a fighting win against a good side.
‘‘They had some players from the Bushies (Murray Bushrangers) and their senior side playing, so it was a good win.’’
· The surprise of the round in this grade was Shepparton’s first loss for the season when beaten by sixth-placed Mooroopna which is fighting to hold a spot for the finals.
· Kyabram’s under-16 side lost a tight battle against Shepparton United on a rain-soaked Deakin Reserve on Sunday.
In a low scoring arm wrestle Kyabram got a three-goal break at one stage, but this was pegged back and United got home by six points — 5.10 to 5.4 — in a grimly-fought contest.
Midfielders Mitch Wilson and James Priest were standouts for Kyabram and were well supported by Bailey Samuels, Cooper Wilson, Max Stockdale and Antonio Depasquale.
· Kyabram’s under-14 side had a big win over Shepparton United in the game at Kyabram.
The young Bombers kicked 12.10 to 1.4 with Asher Porch and Toby McKiernan booting two goals.
Jack Halstead was the standout player for the Bombers and got great support from Riley Nicholson, Jett Emini, Hudson Boylan and Matt Gould.
