Top team Calder Cannons outgunned the North Ballarat Rebels in their TAC Cup match at the Northern Oval on Saturday.
Both teams were missing their top players on duty with the metropolitan and country squads in the under 18 Australian championships in Melbourne which commenced on the weekend.
The Rebels had plenty of the ball early but could not penetrate the Cannons defence until Heath Pyke marked and opened the scoring with a goal.
Josh Thurgood returned to form and with first gamer Jordan Burke prominent the Rebels repelled a number of attacks, but finally Calder broke through with three goals late in the term.
Mick Foster continued his good form around the ground and two goals to Dean Chester and another to Nigel Bone brought North Ballarat closer but again the Cannons put together a string of three majors to extend the lead at the long break.
The contest closed up in the third quarter as both sides had opportunities but a single goal to Calder and reply by Nigel Otto was little reward for a quarter of football in a strongly contested game.
Better running and disposal of the ball by hand and foot by the Cannons demonstrated why they are the competitions top team as they kicked five unanswered goals in the last term to run out comfortable winners.
First game players Nigel Bone, Jordan Burke and Josh Dickinson will all benefit from the exposure at the level as the Rebels now look forward to their next round clash against the Murray Bushrangers.
Calder Cannons 14.11 (95) d North Ballarat Rebels 5.5 (35)
Best: Mick Foster, Josh Thurgood, Jordan Burke, Matt Sharkey, Danny Grellet, Dean Chester.
Goals: Dean Chester 2, Nigel Bone 1, Nigel Otto 1, Heath Pyke 1.
Last Modified on 08/02/2009 13:41