One winning quarter was not enough for the North Ballarat Rebels to defeat the Sandringham Dragons in wet and wintry conditions in their TAC Cup Round 15 game at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday.
The Rebels knew that facing a full strength Dragons side on their home ground was not going to be an easy task and only wayward kicking for goal by the home side kept the visitors in touch early in the game.
Ryan Hobbs back from injury after a long absence was prominent early across half back ably supported by Daniel Ross-Smith, Bryn Weadon and Nicholas Suban but it took until the last minute of the opening term for Andrew Hooper to kick North Ballarats first goal.
First gamer David Astbury looked handy up forward where he marked strongly and goaled to capitalize on Suban, Hooper and Ryan McKenzies work at ground level with many stoppages due to the slippery conditions and the attack on the ball from both sides.
Goals to McKenzie, Tim Ruffles and Weadon gave the Rebels a handy break as they played their best football for the day while the backline kept the home side goalless during a much improved second quarter.
The coach and team new that the third term would possibly determine the outcome of the game and the approach from both sides realized two goals to Sandringham and two to Hooper, both with clever kicks off the ground that kept the Rebels just in front until half way into the quarter.
Three goals in less than three minutes changed the game as the Dragons capitalized on some North Ballarat errors under pressure to set up a handy break just before three quarter time.
A quick major to McKenzie closed the gap after the break but then the run and better use of the ball by the Dragons took control as they kicked the last three goals of the game to run out comfortable winners.
The Rebels face the Western Jets at home next Sunday in a game that they need to win to get their season back on track and establish their final position on the ladder.
Sandringham Dragons 10.18 (78) d North Ballarat Rebels 8.9 (57)
Best. Nicholas Suban, Bryn Weadon, Ryan McKenzie, Andrew Hooper, Daniel Ross-Smith, Ryan Hobbs.
Goals. Andrew Hooper 3, Ryan McKenzie 2, David Astbury 1, Tim Ruffles 1, Bryn Weadon 1.
Last Modified on 08/02/2009 15:27