Slow start hurts Pirates

That put Leo Tenace’s men on the back foot early, as they went into half-time down by 10.

Led by a game-high 19 points from Liam Tenace, the Pirates got themselves back in the game and within three points of the Flyers with 10 minutes of play remaining.

But a winning 13-11 fourth-quarter effort from the Pirates wasn’t enough to pull off the comeback by the game-ending buzzer.

The visitors outscored the Flyers on the three-point line, 24 points to 12, though failed to make their presence felt in the paint.

Staci Richardson still scored 11 points from all three lines, but both he and Tyler Phillips (four) were forced to manage foul issues.

In comparison, Swan Hill’s Matthew Gardner (14) was fairly successful in getting himself to the free-throw line on several occasions.

Echuca will go in favourites against Kyneton in round three on Sunday.

In what is the Pirates’ first home game of the season, the team will be eager to pounce on a winless Tigers outfit.