Nine goals in 15 minutes by the Dandenong Stingrays cost the North Ballarat Rebels dearly in an otherwise close battle in their TAC Cup game at the Shepley Reserve on Saturday.
From the first bounce both sides attaced the ball strongly and good defence by both teams restricted scoring until Dandenong finally broke through for the opening goal midway into the quarter.
The Rebels ruck brigade led by Daniel Batson, Grant Schultz and Nathan Anderson at centre half forward were dominant in the air but some poor kicking in their forward line was proving expensive.
Daniel Ewing goaled, Clint Young marked and kicked another but quick response from the Stingrays levelled the scores.
North Ballarat improved their use of the ball after quarter time with Clint Ladiges steady at halfback, Jake Dignan and Bill Driscoll dominant around the packs and the forwards capitalising on their opportunities.
Steven Tung snapped truly, Ryan Herring running strongly from half back goaled and first gamer Liam Picken marked and kicked another to give North Ballarat a handy lead.
The Stingrays then scored a major but a reply from Rebels captain Chris Banwell retained the advantage.
Young opened the second half with a goal but then it happened, the Dandenong side dominated the game at ground level especially the centre bounces and in a brilliant burst of nine unanswered goals in fifteen minutes turned the whole game around.
Three quick goals to North Ballarat regained some initiative, a Rebel error cost a goal, but two more to Young and Driscoll narrowed the margin.
The Rebels persisted and Young kicked his fifth but Dandenong had regained their composure with steadying goals to run out comfortable winners by 28 points.
Dandenong Stingrays 17.16 (118) d North Ballarat Rebels 14.6 (90)
Best: Dignan, Ladiges, Anderson, Batson, C Young, Driscoll
Goals: C Young 5, Herring 2, Banwell, Driscoll, Ewing, Huf, Picken, Schultz, Tung
Last Modified on 08/02/2009 13:56