Despite periods of strong play, Rochester will need to take the long road if it wishes to claim the Goulburn Valley League premiership.

The Tigers were defeated by minor premier Kyabram in the qualifying final, going down 13.13 (91) to 7.7 (49) on their home ground of Moon Oval on Saturday.

Ash Watson’s men were well in the contest in the first and third periods, but the even quarters let them down as the Bombers were able to build a lead in the first half and extend it late in the game.

Tom Holman found the first major of the game for Kyabram in the opening quarter, but was quickly matched by Rochy’s in-form scorer Hugh Hamilton, who was coming off 23 goals in his past three outings.

Kyabram kicked ahead with two straight, but Rochester again responded with two of its own.

The Bombers led at the first break solely on minor scores, 3.4 to 3.0.

The game started to get away from the Tigers in the second quarter as they were held goalless for the term.

Bohden Learmonth kicked one midway through the quarter and a late burst from Joshua Dillon and Anthony De Pasquale saw Kyabram push 22 points clear at the main break.

There was some sense that a recovery could be on during the third period.

Rochy started the goal-kicking off before a pair of Kyabram goals threatened to kick the Bombers out of sight.

The Tigers rallied and kicked two more of their own before three-quarter time to trail by a manageable 19 points headed into the last.

However, it wasn’t to be for Rochy as Kyabram put in a signature final term performance, kicking five goals to one to close out the game.

Hamilton was the only Tiger to kick more than one goal, joined by brother Wil, Hamish Heine, Adam and James McPhee and Sean Williams on the scorers list.

Key 2025 Bombers recruit Holman had one of his best outings of the season with a game-high five majors.

Rochester had to wait 24 hours to discover its semi-final opponent, set to be the lower-ranked winner from the two elimination finals.

Mansfield’s victory over Shepparton secured it a date with Kyabram in the qualifying second semi-final, leaving Rochester to battle nemesis and three-time defending champion Echuca, who ousted Shepparton Swans in the do-or-die first semi-final.

The Tigers have the bragging rights this season, defeating the Murray Bombers by 34 points back on June 28.

The two sides will meet at Euroa Memorial Oval on Sunday.

Lower grades

Across the league, Rochester sides battled to keep their finals hopes alive.

In the thirds, the Tigers’ campaign was ended by Echuca, 12.14 (86) to 3.3 (21).

Rochy battled hard in the first half to keep the game within reach, but the Murray Bombers pushed clear after the break to record a big win.

On the netball courts, the Tigers’ defending grand finalist B-reserve side kept its hopes of repeating the feat intact by eliminating Tatura, 38-31.

Rochester progresses to the first semi-final, where they it will battle Shepparton United in another sudden death clash in Mooroopna on Saturday.

In 17-and-under, an impressive showing saw Rochy come out on top by the narrowest of margins, winning its way through to the qualifying final with Shepparton, 39-38.

The Tigers now retain their second chance and move on to a grand final qualifier against Mooroopna on Sunday.

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Tuesday, 21st February 2023

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