In a test of just how much they have improved this season Trentham Football Netball Club took on the powerful Avoca outfit.

For three quarters it was a terrific, hard-fought match but in the final term Trentham's lack of fitness caught up with them and Avoca came away with a comfortable win.

The first term must have been a real surprise for Avoca as the Saints took the match right up to them.

Saints coach Kallen Young was inspirational in the centre winning most of the hard balls and bringing his team mates in to the game.

Beau Traill, on a back flank, showed that he will be a real asset to the club.

The on ballers were more than matching their opponents and giving the side plenty of drive.

By half time neither side had taken control of the game and each had scored five goals.

At three-quarter time, however, Avoca had stretched its lead to 26 points.

Trentham scored the first goal of the final term, but after that it was all Avoca as the Saints tired and allowed their opponents to play a free running game.

With the defence under tremendous pressure Beau Chaplin, Paul Raworth, Nigel McKenzie and Glen Jennings battled their hearts out but it was a despairing effort as Avoca powered away to a well-deserved victory.

Final score: Avoca 21-15-141 def Trentham 8-8-56

Best players: K Young, N Turnbull, B Traill, S Quiddington, M Anderson, A Tonna

Goal kickers: M Darby 3, J Young 2, J Thorn 2, M Anderson

*THE reserves game was a real disappointment for Trentham.

Not so much the result as the way that the Saints allowed their opponents to have a free run of the game.

There was little sign of last week's desperation and commitment and it was obvious that a lot of work needs to be done on the fitness front.

The younger players can't rely on the old stagers to do all of the hard work.

It is time for some of them to take on their share of the load.

It wasn't all bad news for the Saints as there were several inclusions in the side who will be valuable team members in the future.

As in the senior game the under-17s team's lack of fitness proved costly.

They ran out of legs in the final term to lose a game they could quite easily have won.

The young Saints were right in the game at three quarter time trailing by just nine points.

However, they ran out of legs and only scored one point to Avoca's six goals, six points for the term.

The Saints have the bye this weekend and it will give them the chance to get ready for their next big clash which will be against Harcourt at Trentham on Saturday, April 26.