The North Ballarat Rebels defeated the Murray Bushrangers for the first time since the 1997 preliminary final in a close encounter in their TAC Cup game at the Northern Oval on Saturday.
From the first bounce both sides were attacking the ball strongly and neither could break clear until Adam Campbell marked and goaled.
Murray were quick to reply with two goals which came from accurate and skillful disposal in the windy conditions.
Daniel Matthews and Matt Sharkey were outstanding in their defensive rolls as the Bushrangers attacked through their onballers who were breaking clear of their Rebel opponents.
Heath Pyke was active up forward for North Ballarat but two goals late in the quarter gave Murray a handy lead at the first break.
A silly free resulted in an easy goal to Murray but the Rebels lifted lead by Grant Schultz in the ruck and a more accountable midfield group which resulted in goals to Ayden George, Adam Hurse and Brendan Huf.
The third quarter was goal for goal as George and Josh Thurgood goaled and when Adam Hurse was rewarded for his constructive forward play with another North Ballarat was slowly closing the scoreboard gap.
Danny Grellett was now capitalising on Schultz's great play and an early final quarter major to George narrowed the margin to less than a goal but the game then reverted to a battle of the defences again until the Bushrangers broke through to extend the lead.
The goal from the centre bounce gave the Rebels a chance and when Campbell goaled moments later they were back in front for the first time since early in the opening quarter.
North Ballarat defended grimly for the final moments of the game to hang on and win by the narrowest of margins in a very intense and highly competitive game of football.
North Ballarat Rebels 11.8 (74) d Murray Bushrangers 10.13 (73)
Best: Grant Schultz, Matt Sharkey, Ayden George, Danny Grellett, Daniel Matthews, Adam Hurse, Heath Pyke
Goals: Ayden George 4, Adam Campbell 2, Adam Hurse 2, Brendan Huf 1, Josh Thurgood 1
Last Modified on 08/02/2009 13:26