That was the story of the North Ballarat Rebels day after going down to the Oakleigh Chargers by 4points on Saturday.
Coming off a 157 point loss last week to top side Calder, on the surface of things a 4 point loss to second placed Oakleigh seems like a good result.
Yet the Rebels had their chances in the last quarter to snatch an unlikely victory. If not for hitting the goal post 4 times through out the day (including twice in the last quarter), the result could have been different.
A strong wind to the Creswick Road end of the North Ballarat ground played a big part in the scoring of both sides.
Kicking against the wind in the first quarter, the Rebels could only manage a solitary major for the quarter to Oakleigh's 3 goals. Billy Driscoll was prominent with his strong tackling and 2 effective smothers a feature.
A goal against the breeze early in the second quarter to Oakleigh extended their lead to 19 points and suddenly the Rebels were under the pump. However, unlike last week the team leaders began to stand up as players like Nathan Anderson and Jake Dignan began to find the footy. The Rebels kicked 3 of the next 4 goals and went into half time trailing by just 5 points.
A serious injury to key Oakleigh playmaker Beau Dowler seemed to spur the Chargers after half time as the Rebels seemed to revert to old habits. 4 unanswered goals gave the Chargers a handy 30 point lead going into the final term.
In the first ten minutes of the last quarter the Rebels produced their best football of the season to date. At the 6 minute mark of the term, the Rebels had slammed on 4 quick goals and suddenly were within one straight kick.
Liam Picken seemed to be in everything as Driscoll, Anderson and Rosa drove the ball forward at will.
However, a goal against the tide from long range by Oakleigh's Captain Patrick Hassett stopped the Rebels drive forward as the Chargers started to slow the game down.
Another goal from Liam Picken was quickly answered by Oakleigh as the Rebels fell 4 points short.
Billy Driscoll was Nth Ballarat's best along with Jake Dignan, Liam Picken and Nathan Anderson.
The Rebels head to Preston this week to take on the Northern Knights who sit at the foot of the TAC Cup ladder.
Oakleigh Chargers 11.8 (84) d North Ballarat Rebels 10.10 (70)
Goals: Driscoll 3, Picken 2, Dignan, Ewing, Herring, Harris, Young
Best: Driscoll, Dignan, Picken, Anderson, Ladiges, Batson
Last Modified on 08/02/2009 14:03