The North Ballarat Rebels teamed together to record their first win for the season by 14 points over a gallant Murray Bushrangers team.
The tricky wind conditions made for a scrappy game, but in the end, with glimpses of individual and team brilliance, and sticking to the game plan the Rebels came home strongly in the second half kicking 9 goals.
The opening quarter was marred by a serious injury to Josh Rentsch, but when the teams settled down it was an even quarter with both the Rebels and Bushrangers kicking four goals. Billy Driscoll, Nick Bone, Darren Ewing and Brendan Huf all goaled for the Rebels.
Coach Anthony rock called for team accountability going into the second quarter. Although the Bushrangers kicked two quick goals, it was Daniel Batson getting on top in the ruck, creative play by Daniel Feery and fleet of foot Jake Dignan that assisted in Clinton Young goaling and steadying the Rebels. Nathan Anderson in defence was on top of Bushrangers gun forward Adam Prior. Good work on the forward line led to Dignan goaling twice. Murray pushed hard for two more goals, the Rebels attacked but kicked inaccurately to go into the halftime break a point down 7.5.47 to 6.10.46.
The Rebels came out into the third quarter with a new determination and resolve, Long kicking and good teamwork enabled the Rebels to kick away. Ryan Harris was providing drive and opportunities that resulted in goals to Captain Courageous, Chris Banwell, and Nick Bone. A battle between the half back lines for 10 minutes was broken when Ewing goaled twice within the space of 3 minutes. The Bushrangers, not to be denied, fought back strongly to add goals.
It was the Rebels by 23 points going into the last quarter, 11.16.82 to 9.5.59. The Bushrangers were kicking with the breeze in the last quarter, disciplined teamwork was needed by the Rebels and although the Bushrangers got to within 8 points on a couple of occasions, the Rebels stood firm led capably in the backline by Daniel Lovick whose dashes from halfback and long kicks led to the Rebels setting up goals. Anderson was still on top of Prior, Harris and Batson also worked hard. With Dignan and Steve Tung running on strongly it was only a matter of time before goals came. Ewing kicked his fourth, Clinton Young kicked goal of the day on his wrong foot from deep in the pocket and when Driscoll passed truly to Young again who kicked his third, it was virtually over.
The Bushrangers would not lie down and with two quick goals reduced the margin to 14 points. Final score was Rebels 15.17.103 to Bushrangers 14.9.93.
A meritorious win by the Rebels and well done to both teams who played a hard game in great spirit.
Best: Rosa, Lovick, Anderson, Dignan, Ewing, Harris
Goals: Ewing 4, C Young 3, Dignan 2, Bone 2, Driscoll, Banwell, Huf, Harris
Last Modified on 08/02/2009 13:55