The North Ballarat Rebels consolidated their position in the top 8 with an improved four-quarter performance over the Bendigo Pioneers in their TAC Cup game at Golden Square on Saturday.
Captain Jarrod McCorkell was inspirational across halfback and Dean Chester with excellent ground play and pace capitalised to set up an early Rebels lead. Two late goals to the Pioneers kept them in touch at quarter time.
Mark Nunn continued his recent run of good form with strong ruckwork and with Fisher and Brad Sewell having the better of their opponents gave North Ballarat the midfield advantage and created many forward scoring opportunities. Three 2nd quarter goals to Chester and singles to Fisher and Sewell, combined with a solid North Ballarat backline performance all but extinguished the Pioneers finals aspirations by half time.
A Bendigo rally was short lived, as Troy Chaplin and Jarrod McCorkell were cool under pressure and when Ryan Allan and Dean Chester goaled the Rebels were again back in control of the game.
Tim Swanton was prominent on his wing as the ball moved quickly and both forward lines appeared to be on top as each scored goals with comparative ease.
Allan and Goodes with 3 goals each were handy contributors for the Rebels who ran out comfortable winners in what was a good warm up match before beginning next week’s finals campaign.
The North Ballarat Rebels will face the Tassie Mariners in the First Elimination Final next Sunday at Optus Oval, commencing at 2.15pm.
North Ballarat Rebels 20.17 (137) d Bendigo Pioneers 13.10 (78)
Best: McCorkell, Fisher, Chester, Sewell, Nunn, Swanton
Goals: Chester 6, Allan, Goodes 3, Fisher, Sellers 2, Adcock, Chaplin, Foster, Sewell
Last Modified on 08/02/2009 13:08