In perfect football conditions the North Ballarat Rebels failed by three points to open their seasons winning account in a hard fought battle against the Gippsland Power at the Northern Oval on Saturday.
North appears unsettled early with four first gamers in the side as the Power jumped to an early lead, but marks converted to goals by Nick Bone and Daniel Ewing brought the game back to an even battle.
The Rebels had plenty of the ball as Jake Dignan was prominent but poor kicking at goal from set shots were wasted opportunities by the forwards.
The game opened up after the first break as Grant Schultz goaled from a free, Ewing and Clinton Young twice snapped truly and the Power had few answers to the Rebels better use of the ball.
Daniel Lovick and Martin Curtis were steady in defence but three late goals to Gippsland regained a narrow lead at the half way mark.
A five goals to two third quarter by the Rebels came from strong ruckwork by Daniel Batson, better direction of the ball coming out of defence and improved conversion by a harder working forward line.
Smart play from Ewing saw him kick his third and when Young scored two more after taking strong marks the Rebels had extended to a handy 13 point lead.
The last quarter was a real turn around as the Power took control around the ground and out marked and generally outplayed a disappointed North Ballarat side and only their poor kicking at goal kept the Rebels within range.
Ryan Herring goaled and Young kicked his fifth but three goals from fourteen scoring shots by Gippsland was just enough for them to hang on to a narrow but well earned victory.
The Rebels now look to regroup as they take on old rivals the Murray Bushrangers at Bendigo next Friday.
Gippsland Power 13.19 (97) d North Ballarat Rebels 14.10 (94)
Best: C Young, Dignan, Ewing, Curtis, Lovick, Batson
Goals: C Young 5, Ewing 3, Bone 2, Dignan, Herring, Huf, Schultz
Last Modified on 08/02/2009 13:54