A very competitive North Ballarat Rebels just failed to beat final contenders the Dandenong Stingrays in their TAC Cup match at the Northern Oval on Saturday.
With three more debutantes in the side, the Rebels started well when Michael Jameson marked strongly and goaled, Brendan Huf running off halfback snapped another.
Dandenong managed one goal against the flow of the game but Liam Picken replied and Nathan Anderson added another to set up an early lead.
Matt Rice was prominent on the wing, Evan Hurse had his all Australian component under control and with Anderson outplaying the Stingray big men around the ground the Rebels looked good.
Mid way into the second term Dandenong lifted to kick four goals, a reply by Ryan Herring and then a goal to the Stingrays after the siren leveled the scores at half time.
The North Ballarat backline led by Daniel Lovick, Darren Ewing and Damien Cameron were steady under pressure as the Stingrays started winning the ball around the packs and constantly driving the ball forward.
A five goal quarter by the visitors did not deter North Ballarat as Stephen Clifton marked twice and goaled, Bill Driscoll and Ewing both snapped truly and the game was still in the balance at the final break.
Dandenong continued to hold sway as an injury to Lovick unbalanced the Rebels backline at a crucial stage of the game.
Goals to Daniel Feery and Aaron Barnett were not enough to close the gap and the Stingrays were able to hang on in an entertaining match that produced a more sustained effort from a determined North Ballarat side.
DANDENONG STINGRAYS 15.10 (100) d NORTH BALLARAT REBELS 12.8 (80)
Best. Nathan Anderson, Matt Rice, Evan Hurse, Damien Cameron, Daniel Lovick, Darren Ewing, Ryan Herring.
Goals. Nathan Anderson 2, Stephen Clifton 2, Aaron Barnett 1, Bill Driscoll 1, Darren Ewing 1, Daniel Feery 1, Ryan Herring 1, Brendan Huf 1, Michael Jameson 1, Liam Picken 1.
Last Modified on 08/02/2009 14:17