IT was a bittersweet day for the Blue Lake Knights at Webb Street on Saturday, going down to the Warrnambool Raiders by two points in an inspiring game of rugby league.
After struggling through the Limestone Coast Rugby League season with injury concerns and a lack of numbers to supplement the bench, the Knights headed into the clash from bottom position, facing the second-placed Raiders.
Once again the scenario read the same, with injuries depleting the side to no bench in the second half, which took its toll.
However, in the end just one conversion separated the two sides, with both scoring four tries and the Knights going down 22-20.
While it was an impressive effort from the Knights, club president Brenton Hodge described the result as heartbreaking.
“We came out and stuck to our game plan and ran the plays well,” he said.
“I think we were three tries to one at one stage and were looking good.
“We defended really well and went into the second half in front, but we just didn’t have the legs.
“They scored a couple of late tries to run over the top of us.
“The boys were out on their feet and just couldn’t do it.”
One injury occurred mid-way through the first term, with the Knights still holding a handy lead at the break.
But when the second injury occurred it was all too much.
However, against a side like the Raiders, who defeated top side Naracoorte Jets by a sizable margin last week, it was a solid effort.
Hodge said the whole side rallied after the injuries and stepped up to the challenge.
He said much of the run came from and inspiring game from Jack Wright, who ran a try home after an exceptional defensive effort that saw the ball handed back to the Knights.
“Jack Wright stepped up to a whole new level in his game play on Saturday,” Hodge said.
“At one stage one of their boys beat our winger out wide and looked like he was going to get through.
“Wright came across from the other side of the field and hit him and took him out of play, then when he was jogging back to his position the ball was switched wide across to him.
“He caught it and scored, which was a great effort.”
Hodge said the remainder of the side matched that intensity.
Overall he said it was a disappointing result, but a good display of rugby for a big crowd.
“The crowd was awesome,” he said.
“We were really happy with the town getting behind it and supporting us.
“They were two good games of rugby – the Jets put on a clinical display and our game was really close.”
With just two minor rounds remaining before finals, the Knights face a tough road ahead if they are to play post-season rugby.
This week they face the top side in the Jets at Warrnambool, followed by the Panthers at Naracoorte.
