Playing last year’s Murray League runner-up, Congupna, at Congupna, the new-look Bombers exploded in the first term to kick eight unanswered goals with an impressive, hard-running display of precision football.
But if one lesson was learnt from the game by Kyabram, it was that there are four quarters and not one.
Congupna hit back hard to play the Bombers at their own game and actually outscored the visitors in the next three quarters, although Kyabram had its nose in front by a couple of points at the final siren.
Kyabram’s onballers, co-coach Kaine Herbert and star recruit and Morrison Medallist Mick Mattingly were among the early standouts while Queensland newcomer Jake Torney at half-back made an impression along with Riley Ironside and Will Burnett in defence.
The young brigade in Anthony Depasquale, Mitch Dodos, Bohden Learmonth and Nic Jephson were also active up forward.
Neither side was at full strength, with the Bombers missing their Melbourne-based players Jason Morgan, Lachy Smith, Liam Ogden, Eamonn Ogden and Will Golds.
Two of their Queensland recruits, Bailey Tome and new ruck signing Marcus Khoo, also missed.
Apart from Smith and Khoo, the Bombers should be closer to full strength this Saturday when they take on reigning Bendigo League premier Golden Square at Elmore.
There will be three games, with the thirds starting at 10am, the reserves at noon and the seniors at 2pm.
Local pitch among the best
Goulburn Murray Cricket run-making machine Regis Chakabva made interesting observations as guest speaker at the association’s annual awards night last week.
Chakabva, who made 850 runs captaining Bamawm Lockington United in GM Cricket’s John McMahon Shield competition this season, was interviewed by John Moyle, who also wears the Echuca Cricket Club president’s cap these days.
Chakabva declared that the Bamawm Lockington United’s home ground and wicket at Bamawn was up there with the best he had experienced ‘’anywhere in the world’’.
Chakabva captained his home country, Zimbabwe, so has been around a bit.
So to make that lofty claim is certainly an unbelievable endorsement for the Bamawm oval’s curator, former country cricket great Graham Turner.
Now Graham’s not the type to dwell on what he has achieved in cricket — and it’s a pretty impressive resume — but he could be excused for pumping out his chest after this lofty observation from an influential international cricketer.
Chakabva’s other interesting opinion in the interview was when he was asked to name the scariest bowler he had faced during his international career.
He plumped for South Australian quick Shaun Tait, a sentiment he doesn’t share alone.
Tait shot down a thunderbolt at 161.1km/h (100.1m/h) playing for Australia against England in 2010, only the second cricketer to breach the 100m/h barrier.
Chakabva, who lives in Moama these days and teaches at St Joseph’s School in Echuca, indicated he would be around for a while yet, which is great news for Goulburn Murray Cricket and the regional cricket scene.
Big names to take to the park
They are rolling out big names in the Murray Football League this season.
It is expected former Richmond star Brett Deledio will make some appearances for Tongala, which is being coached by his brother-in-law Billy Barnes, while Dayne Beams will pull on the jumper for last year’s premier, Mulwala
Now Finley has announced it is adding former Carlton and Greater Western Sydney midfielder Mark Whiley to its roster.
Whiley is a former Finley junior, and joins Finley from reigning Ovens and Murray League premier Yarrawonga.
He is expected to provide a further boost to Finley, which was a big improver and finalist last season.
Classy performance
Classy Kyabram-trained trotter Sebastians Boy made an eye-catching return to racing with a dominant win at last Saturday night’s Bendigo meeting.
Having his first run since November, Sebastians Boy, driven by James Herberton, raced outside the leader, Gee Cee Calder, but put paid to his rivals on the home bend to go on to an effortless win in a meritorious 1.58.7 mile rate time for the 2150m trip.
The Brent Thomson-trained five-year-old is relatively lightly raced, having just the 19 career starts to date, which have produced seven wins and four minor placings and over $55,000 in prize money earnings.
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