A strong opening quarter by the North Ballarat Rebels was not enough to defeat an improving Bendigo Pioneers in Round 13 of the TAC Cup at Golden Square on Saturday.
With both sides close to full strength after the recent National Carnival the Rebels started the game in a confident manner as Jordan Roughead, Nicholas Suban and Andrew Hooper kicked early goals continuing on with their recent good form.
The Pioneers appeared unsettled by the North Ballarat attack at the ball and two goals to full forward Dylan Parish from strong marks set up a handy lead in the windy conditions.
Kicking to the scoring end Bendigo were quick out of the blocks with two goals in the opening four minutes of the 2nd quarter and only resolute defence from Daniel Ross-Smith, Bryn Weadon and Oliver Tate steadied the Rebels.
Neither team could gain control as much of the play was on the defensive side of the ground until mid term when Tim Ruffles and Hooper penetrated the Pioneers defence to kick majors against the flow of the play.
A silly free kick by a North Ballarat defender resulted in a goal that gave the home side some momentum just before the half time break.
The third term against the wind was the Pioneers best of the day as they defended strongly forcing North Ballarat into errors and generally took control to kick three goals too have the scores level to start the final quarter.
A disappointed coach, Chris Maple emphasized to his team the importance of the game and the Rebels lifted to hold the locals scoreless until after halfway through the term when Ross-Smith left the ground injured that Bendigo penetrated with two goals to hit the lead in front of their home crowd.
Not to be denied Suban lifted his team and rushed the ball forward where Hooper kicked two goals in a minute to have the Rebels back within a kick at the twenty one minute mark and Bendigo on the defensive.
Both sides were desperate but a goal to the home side settled the result to give them a hard fought win over a disappointing Rebels that now need to improve to be threat as finals loom on the horizon.
Bendigo Pioneers 10.13 (73) d North Ballarat Rebels 9.9 (63)
Best. Nicholas Suban, Daniel Ross-Smith, Jordan Roughead, Andrew Hooper, Bryn Wedon, Oliver Tate.
Goals. Andrew Hooper 4, Dylan Parish 2, Jordan Roughead 1, Tim Ruffles 1, Nicholas Suban 1.
Last Modified on 08/02/2009 15:16