The Narooma Devils remain in eighth-spot on the Group 16 first-grade ladder after a 28-12 loss to the Eden Tigers at Bill Smyth Oval.
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The Devils showed an improved effort against the Tigers, but lacked firepower as they slumped to their sixth loss of the season.
The Tigers got off to a fast start, as winger Nickolas Smith scored a double within the first six minutes for a quick 12-0 lead.
The Devils tightened up their defence through the middle part of the first half, but two late tries to Joel Grewar and Rhyse Grewar gave the visitors a 22-0 lead at half time.
The Devils came out of the half-time sheds ready to go, and Tully Wilton crossed for their first try just two minutes in to the second half.
Narooma started to build momentum, but a neck injury to winger Nicholas Hoskins brought the game to a halt 10 minutes into the second half. Play was stopped for almost half an hour whilst an ambulance was called.
The match became an arm-wrestle once play resumed, as both sides traded scoring opportunities.
Narooma were in again 10 minutes from time thanks to a great running try from Jackson Kelly, and the home side could sniff a comeback.
However, a penalty gave the Tigers great field position, and John Aldridge strolled over from close range to put the match out of reach.
Devils coach, Todd Wright, was pleased with the way his side played in the second half.
"We were right on top, but then we had that injury, so that gave them a little break," he said. "It's just the way it goes sometimes.
"I ripped into them a little bit at half-time, just got into a few of the lads who looked a bit flat. To their credit, they came out in the second half and had a go."
Wright said his side's slow start was uncharacteristic for this season.
"Our starts have been good all year, and they've been keeping us it games, but it was the opposite today," he said. "We've just got to get to training, and be switched on from the warm up.
"Hopefully we'll take it out to the field next week in the Bay."
Wright had words of encouragement for injured winger Hoskins.
"I love him for backing up," he said. "He's playing a full reserve-grade game every week, then we have to chuck him on a wing for first grade.
"I thanks all those lads that do that for us. It's not easy, I could never do it, but it's a massive effort."
In the earlier games, the Narooma She-Devils put in their best performance of the year in a 22-0 loss to reigning premiers, Eden.
Although they didn't manage to score any points, their defensive effort was good, and it was only a hat-trick from last year's best-and-fairest, Tamika Millard, that got Eden over the line.
The reserve-grade side tried hard all day, but couldn't keep up with Eden in a 40-6 loss.