In windy conditions at Jerilderie Recreation Reserve, the Blues managed to tick the scoreboard over with regularity while restricting the hosts to a trickle of behinds as they won 12.11 (83) to 4.13 (37).
It was five scoring shots apiece in the first term but the Blues’ 4.1 gave them a 15-point advantage over the Demons 1.4.
The second saw another barrage of behinds from Jerilderie, who also added two goals to one to reduce the deficit to seven at the major break.
Picola United broke away in the third period, kicking five goals to one and opening up a healthy 34-point gap at three-quarter time, a lead it added to further in the fourth.
“Always a tough task up there (at Jerilderie), a big drive,” said Picola United coach Rhys Woodland.
“We just needed everyone rocking up with the right mindset; last year, it was something we sort of struggled with the big travel for the games.
“It was a good hit out for probably two-and-a-half quarters and then we got the momentum going after that and got on top of them.”
The ground conditions brought about a tactical change for the Blues, as they brought a player back from half-forward to give Picola the edge in the contest.
“It was pretty windy and it was going straight up the ground so we threw one of our half forwards into the mid just so we had an extra bloke around the contest or if he felt like he needed to he’d just slip behind the ball and play that loose player behind the ball.
“So, we were able to clog it up when they had the wind and take advantage of it when we had it.”
The result pushes Picola United above Jerilderie on the table and up into 10th position.
The Blues host Rennie next Saturday and should be hopeful of another four points, as their opponents have logged just one win for the year.
PDNL
Picola United’s A-grade netball side emerged second best, 30-31, in a competitive tussle with Jerilderie.
The Demons pushed out to a three-goal lead after a quarter of play but were reeled in by halftime with the score 14-all at the main break.
The demons again gained the advantage in the third, this time by four goals, and the Blues again responded in the fourth, falling just one goal short of their opponents.
Picola United has been competitive at stages this season but has managed just two wins from seven fixtures thus far.
It battles Rennie, who also has two wins for the year, next Saturday.
The Game
Scores
Picola United: 4.1, 5.3, 10.8, 12.11 (83)
Jerilderie: 1.4, 3.8, 4.10, 4.13 (37)
Goals
Picola United: Cody Haub 5, Kian Wise 2, Connor Langley 2, Lachlan Collins, Blake Jorgensen, George Preston
Jerilderie: Lachlan Taylor-Nugent, Travis Lawton, Kane Hawkins, Duncan Trethowan
Best
Picola United: Blake Jorgensen, Clinton Barnes, Tom Evans, George Preston, Logan Daniel
Jerilderie: Bohdi Beasley, Ben Neessen, Tom Sleigh, Digby Sharpe, Travis Lawton, Kane Hawkins