A brilliant six goals to one first quarter by the Dandenong Stingrays proved too much to overcome for the North Ballarat Rebels in their TAC Cup match at AUSTAR Arena on Saturday.
The Stingrays certainly “came to play” kicking four goals in the opening eight minutes as the Rebels made some elementary mistakes and seemed flatfooted in conditions which were perfect for football.
Daniel Ross-Smith, Oliver Tate and Adam McKenzie were steady but under pressure the visitors were able to add two more goals before Ryan McKenzie with the aid of a 50 metre penalty kicked the Rebels first just before the end of the quarter.
The second quarter was a complete reversal of the first as North Ballarat led by Ryan McKenzie either on ball or up forward assisted by the small brigade of Christopher Giampaolo and Josh Free had four goals on the board in the first ten minutes.
Dandenong managed a steadier mid term but Ryan McKenzie replied with his fourth for the quarter which when followed by another from tall forward Jacob Garvey the Rebels were in front at the half way mark.
Coach Chris Maple warned his group that Dandenong were too good a side to fold after one poor quarter and he was right as neither side could penetrate the opposition defences until mid term when Dandenong put their nose just in front.
The move of Harrison Vidler to full forward resulted in a goal and when McKenzie kicked his sixth for the day the Rebels appeared to be shading the Stingrays until two late goals gave them a handy lead at the final break.
Both coaches urged their sides to score the first goal of the last quarter to create the initiative and it was the Stingrays who were first only to be followed by Josh Cowan to again keep North Ballarat in touch.
Another goal to each side kept the visitors lead as the game again reverted to a battle of the backlines as neither could score in the last half of the quarter and the Stingrays managed to run out well deserved winners by eight points.
North Ballarat Rebels 11.10 (76) d by Dandenong Stingrays 12.12 (84)
Best. Ryan McKenzie, Christopher Giampaolo, Josh Free, Daniel Ross-Smith, Oliver Tate, Adrian McKenzie.
Goals. Ryan McKenzie 6, Josh Cowan 1, Matthew Cranage 1, Josh Free 1, Jacob Garvey 1, Harrison Vidler 1.
Last Modified on 08/02/2009 15:07