In perfect ground but windy weather conditions the North Ballarat Rebels were too good for the Oakleigh Chargers in their TAC Cup match at the Northern Oval on Saturday.
Against the wind the Rebels had most of the early play in their forward half but could not penetrate a tight Chargers defence. It took 15 minutes before Adam Hurse marked and opened the scoring with a goal followed by another from Corey Fagg.
Again the game developed into a battle of the defences as Evan Hurse, Troy Chaplin and Corey Fagg were solid across half back and Clint Ladiges close checking play continually repelled Oakleigh's attacking thrusts forward. The defensive trend continued into the second despite an early goal to the Chargers but in the last ten minutes of the half the Rebels led by captain Jed Adcock found targets with quick movement of the ball and took control. Hurse and Adcock goaled, Ayden George swooped on a loose ball for another and when Ryan Herring and Ladiges outplayed their direct opponents for two more the Rebels were well in front at the long break.
Oakleigh played their best football for the day in the third term keeping North Ballarat goalless but two goals was a poor reward for their efforts. Adam Campbell playing loose in defence came into the game as the Rebel backline again stood firm. Adcock and Herring continued to dominate the game with goals and Campbell returned to the forward line took a number of strong marks and his three last quarter goals put the game well beyond the Chargers grasp.
A seven goal final term produced a strong win which consolidated the Rebels second place on the ladder.
North Ballarat Rebels 15.10 (100) d Oakleigh Chargers 5.7 (37)
Best: Jed Adcock, Ryan Herring, Corey Fagg, Evan Hurse Clint Ladiges, Troy Chaplin
Goals: Adam Campbell 3, Jed Adcock 3, Ayden George 2, Adam Hurse 2, Ryan Herring 2, Corey Fagg, Clint Ladiges, Matt Rosa 1
Last Modified on 08/02/2009 13:36