A week after being exposed by Temora, the Bombers went to Victoria Park on a mission. And they were on from the outset in a convincing 12.15 (87) to 7.4 (46) victory. 

Their flying first half put a smile on the face of current coach, Shane Lenon, who declared the first two quarters among their best form of the season.

“I think it’s up there,” Lenon said, rating it with their big win over Charles Sturt University and three quarters of their game against East Wagga-Kooringal.  

“It’s been a bit patchy other than that but the first half was the sort of footy we want to play more consistently.”

Playing on a wing, Rowe was Marrar’s general early – his direction and experience key to the Bombers opening up the game, dominating possession and moving the ball at speed.

Only a failure to convert opportunities allowed TRYC to stay in the game, as the Pies kicked three first quarter goals to match Marrar’s 2.6. 

But even the scoring shots didn’t reflect Marrar’s dominance. 

“Obviously we didn’t convert but we were going about it the right way, and if you do that, the scoreboard will take care of itself,” Lenon said. 

That rang true soon enough, as Marrar – minus star forward Brad Turner (ribs) – kicked six straight goals to put the game away. 

Not for the first time this year, Rory Block stepped out of Turner’s shadow. He had his fifth goal late in the second quarter as the Bombers opened up a 35-point lead. 

TRYC had few answers in the first half and couldn’t find a target forward other than the ageless Marrar warrior Clint Taylor. 

“Clint’s having a really good year,” Lenon said.

“He’s been a gun backman for a lot of years now and still playing outstanding footy and obviously his leadership’s outstanding as well.”

So too was captain Josh Hagar as Marrar’s midfield also stepped up and delivered.

The Pies limited the damage with an improved third quarter but when Hagar and assistant coach Cal Gardner had each kicked a second goal early in the final quarter, the margin was out to 40 points and the game done-and-dusted.

The Bombers had plenty of contributors, including Tyler Cunningham and Jesse Margosis, as well as Jesse Cunningham at full-back in his return to seniors after a wrist injury. 

“I was confident he’d help the side improve,” Lenon said.

“He played full-back today but you can play him centre-half-forward, centre-half-back, through the midfield. And I thought his effort down back there was pretty good.”

David Pieper, Lachie Hunter and Aiden Ridley were among the pick of the Pies, who have to pick themselves up for North Wagga next week. 

The Bombers will be without Turner for their game against Coleambally but with a bye to follow, hope he’ll be back for round 14. 

Turner had been named after playing with rib soreness last week. But Lenon said X-rays on Friday revealed a crack, forcing his withdrawal.