Travelling to Mooroopna Recreation Reserve to take on the Cats, the Saints suffered a sluggish start, and despite recovering to win both the third and fourth quarters, were still unable to overcome the home side, eventually going down 4.9 (33) to 6.15 (51).
In a tense, low-scoring first term, the Saints recorded three behinds before kicking their first major, coming via Tom Riley, by which point the Cats had already booted two, which would be the extent of both sides’ goalscoring in a gritty opening quarter that featured inaccuracy at both ends.
Despite heading into the huddle with 1.3 (9) on the board, the Saints were well and truly in the contest, as Mooroopna had been unable to take full advantage in front of the big sticks despite having six scoring shots, recording 2.4 (16) to keep Benalla in the contest.
The Saints no doubt would have sought to capitalise on Mooroopna’s missed opportunities and punish the Cats in the second term, but the home side continued to push, trapping the ball in their half and denying Benalla the chance to eat into the deficit.
Despite being held scoreless for the second term, the Saints trailed by only 25 points heading into the rooms at the main break, as the Cats once again failed to take their chances in front of goal, adding 2.6 for the quarter to leave the door ajar if Benalla was prepared to mount a comeback in the second half.
And while the margin reached a game-high 32 points shortly after the third quarter got underway with Mooroopna adding the first major, the Saints were able to counter through David Mennen, while Mitchell Vasterink again provided the reply after the Cats added their second for the term to keep the margin steady.
The waywardness in front of goal seemed contagious, though, as while Benalla added two goals for the term, they also scored five behinds, reducing the margin by two points to trail by 23 at the final break.
The Saints would continue the fightback in the fourth quarter, too, as Michael Mummery slotted his first of the contest, cutting the Cats’ lead to 16 points early in the term, however neither side would find the middle of the goals again, as Benalla’s momentum stalled and the Cats clung on for an 18-point win.
Kevin Maroney was named Benalla’s best in the loss, closely followed by Colby Mathieson, while young gun Owain Boyle – who debuted last week after crossing from Wangaratta Thirds in the O&M – made it two mentions in the best from two outings this season.
Ruckman Mark Marriott was also named among the more influential Saints, while Nick Mellington excelled in just his second game back from injury to round out the best.
It has been a frustrating fortnight for Benalla, with the Saints taking the challenge right up to reigning premier Kyabram in round 10 before fading late to go down by 17 points, while the scoreless second term at the weekend was all the separated them from the Cats, leaving eight valuable points on the table in two games they would no doubt feel they could have won.
The result means Benalla sits 10th on the ladder, but still only two games off sixth-placed Kyabram, as the season remains well and truly alive.
The Saints will look to bounce back this Saturday when they return to the showgrounds to host Echuca, seeking to avenge their round two loss from earlier this season.
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