Sport

Mildura turns up the Heat on Pirates

Going round: Charlie O'Toole gets past a Mildura defender. Photos: Aidan Briggs Photo by Aidan Briggs

Echuca Pirates have slumped to a fourth consecutive loss to start the year, being comprehensively beaten by Mildura Heat.

Playing at home, the Pirates were under siege from the moment the referee first blew his whistle, as Mildura quickly imposed itself on the contest.

Let it fly: Ben Dri puts up a three. Photo by Aidan Briggs

A ferocious first term saw the Heat lead 35-4 at the first break and despite letting such a big lead blow out on the scoreboard, the Pirates showed no sign of being rattled as the two sides took to the court for the second quarter.

Slowly working themselves into the game, the Pirates managed to win the term 20-17 and peg the enormous lead back in to 28 points at half-time.

Splash: Mitchell Markby shoots a three-pointer. Photo by Aidan Briggs

That was as close as the Pirates would get to the Heat for the rest of the game, however, as Mildura put the foot down in the second half.

Airborne: Mildura’s Trequan Rudd-Morfaw shows off his vertical leap en route to another two points, finishing with a game-high 33. Photo by Aidan Briggs

The lead was extended by 16 points in the third quarter, with the Pirates outscored 11-27 to trail by 44 at the final change, before a 24-8 final term in favour of the Heat saw Echuca ultimately lose by 60 points, 43-103.

To the rim: Staci Richardson completes a lay up. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Missing leading scorer Tyler Phillips, the Pirates looked to Staci Richardson to do the bulk of the work, finishing with 11 points, while Charlie O’Toole was the only other Pirate in double figures, putting up 10 points.

Mildura’s Trequan Rudd-Morfaw led the way for the visitors, putting a game-high 33 points on the board, while Tarryn Shaddock and Lachlan Knight were also handy, contributing 17 and 14 points respectively.

Throwing dimes: Will Poulton threads a pass between defenders. Photo by Aidan Briggs

The loss demotes Echuca to bottom spot on the ladder after round three, with its percentage slipping to 63.32 and below that of Kyneton, which is the only other team that remains winless.

Driving through: Max Hagan bodies a defender on his way to the basket. Photo by Aidan Briggs

The Pirates will have their greatest chance at a win this season when they take on Kyneton this weekend away from home.

The Game

Scores

Echuca: 4, 20, 11, 8 (43)

Mildura: 35, 17, 27, 24 (103)

Points

Echuca: Staci Richardson 11, Charlie O’Toole 10, Mitchell Markby 5, Will Poulton 5, Dylan Payne 4, Kaaran Richardson 4, Max Hagan 2, Tanner Smith 1, Lachlan Tenace 1

Mildura: Trequan Rudd-Morfaw 33, Tarryn Shaddock 17, Lachlan Knight 14, Jack Bakewell 10, Jett Charles 9, Chrysolite Moala 7, Zane Lueth 5, Dru Pilmore 5, Jacob Young 3