By Rebecca Lally (Armidale Express, 14/07/2008)
The New England Nomads are keeping their chins up despite dwindling numbers and a 125-60 loss to Inverell in their Tamworth Australian Football League (TAFL) round 12 clash on Saturday.

Nomads’ coach Brendan Meehan was pleased with the team’s effort over the weekend.

“We fought it out against one of the top teams, still a bit undermanned, but it was a very good effort especially by Josh Keogh and Anthony Reid,” he said.

Forward Weston Whitby kicked four goals for the match.

Ben Page, Reece Whitby, Reid and Tyrone Dimer also slotted majors to get their names on the score sheet.

Top scorers for the Saints were Stewart Walker who booted four goals, while David Kent and Gary Hadland both notched up three for the match.

Michael Viney bagged a double while Thomas Dasey, Michael Corcoran, Nick Baird, Corey Elphick and Fraser Hughes all scored for the defending premiers.

The first quarter was played closely and the Saints went into the second quarter with only a two goal lead.

Inverell surged ahead in the second quarter, securing an eight goal lead.

The third and fourth quarters saw the Nomads tighten their hold, but they failed to close the gap in the score.

“They only ended up winning by about 10 or 11 goals in the end, there was a 65-point difference so it shows the boys didn’t give up and kept the pressure on,” said Meehan.

“All in all the boys didn’t give up which is good to see.

“They still kept fighting it out even though we were a bit undermanned and were playing against a taller and stronger team.”

Meehan praised Dave Maclellan for his efforts during the game.

“He tagged one of their players and really kept him out of the game for four quarters which was good. He did as he was asked and played a good game,” he said.

John Nougher finished the game with a strained neck muscle.

It is not yet known if the injury is serious.

The shortage of players, attributed to holidays and other commitments, is having a very obvious impact on the Nomads’ performance.

“We sort of had half a dozen players different from last week and we’ll have another half a dozen different next week,” Meehan said.

The Nomads will sit out with a bye this week.

The week after that they’re set to meet the Swans in Tamworth.

When the two side last met in June the Nomads came away with a 20 point win.

In other TAFL results from Saturday the Tamworth Kangaroos were far too strong for Gunnedah, notching up a 23-17-155 t o11-5-71 win, while the Tamworth Swans overcame last-placed Muswellbrook 16-19-115 to 12-8-80.

Starring for the Kangaroos were Ashley Hawkins, who single-handedly kicked an incredible 11 goals, almost half his side’s total.

Daniel Overeem managed five in a performance that would have stood out in any other circumstances.

Brendon Lemon was the standout for Gunnedah, slotting three majors.

Top scorers in the Tamworth/Gunnedah match were Gavin Knee who kicked six for the Swans and Travis Brown who nailed four.

Standouts for Muswellbrook were Adam White, Stuart Macadam and Peter Ryan who booted three majors each.

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