The North Ballarat Rebels slow start to the TAC Cup season continued on Saturday with a heavy defeat at the hands of the Eastern Ranges.
The game was played as a twilight fixture with the first bounce at the unusual time of 4pm.
The Rebels registered the first goal of the match through the creative work of Bill Driscoll. However it was the only time through out the match that North Ballarat led as Eastern quickly hit their straps.
Game ending injuries in the first quarter to key forward Darren Ewing and utility Steve Clifton did nothing to help the Rebels cause.
The Ranges were consistently first to the ball as their fleet of funners found the home team wanting. If not for the inaccuracy of the opposition, the Rebels would have been facing a greater half time margin than the 18 points showing on the scoreboard.
A berating from their coach at the main break did little to stem the tide as Eastern further extended their lead in the third term. In fact it was the opposition who looked more at home in the wintry conditions with precision passing and a fierce attack on the football. Ryan Harris kicked North Ballarat's only major of the third quarter.
This left the Rebels with only pride to play for in the final term. Goals from Andrew Bell, Jordyn Burke and Grant Schultz added some respectability to the home team's final score. A 36 point final margin not indicative Eastern's complete dominance.
Better players for the Rebels were few and far between. The courageous Daniel Lovick was once again prominent, as were small men Jake Dignan and Bill Driscoll. Daniel Batson battled tirelessly in the ruck.
The team now takes a two week break as training for the National Under 18 Championships commences.
The Rebels have 4 players in the preliminary 20 man Vic Country squad with Ryan Herring, Matt Rosa, Daniel Batson and Jordyn Burke all to take part in a training camp in Melbourne next weekend.
North Ballarat's next game is against Northern Territory in two weeks time at the Northern Oval.
Eastern Ranges 9.16 (70) d North Ballarat Rebels 5.4 (34)
Goals: Bell, Burke, Driscoll, Harris, Schultz
Best: Lovick, Dignan, Batson, Driscoll, Ladiges, Anderson
Last Modified on 08/02/2009 13:58