A powerful first half set up a victory for the Northern Knights over the North Ballarat Rebels in their TAC Cup match at Stawell on Sunday.
It took both sides time to adapt to the wet and slippery ground conditions as the respective defences dominated the game.
The conditions contributed to some mistakes and it was a misdirected short kick by a Rebel defender that resulted in the Knights opening goal.
Dean Chester goalled for North Ballarat but a late response by Northern edged them ahead at the first change.
The Knights, physically stronger at ground level, kicked four unanswered goals in the second term to set up a winning lead in the conditions.
The Rebels responded to coach Anthony Rocks half-time address as Foster, Nigel Otto and Josh Dore came into the game and early goals to Ladiges and Chester reduced the lead.
Daniel Batson in the ruck was giving the smaller Rebel onballers opportunities but again late in the quarter as has been the way in recent games the opposition was able to reply with two goals late in the quarter and again stretch the lead.
The game opened up a little in the final term as North Ballarat kicked three goals, but as had been the case all day the Knights were able to respond with three of their own.
Last Modified on 08/02/2009 13:40