THE Dandenong Stingrays bounced back from a disappointing round one loss with a convincing win over the North Ballarat Rebels by 62 points at Ballarat on Sunday. The Stingrays were never troubled by the Rebels as the margin kept increasing. Dandenong key forward Nick Haynes bagged four goals in a dominant display in front of the sticks.
Goals to Nick Haynes and running players Nick Tuddenham and Jarryd Capiron saw the Stingrays lead 21 to 14 at the end of the first quarter. The Stingrays missed a couple of good chances to kick away, with accuracy in front of goals again a significant issue for Dandenong.
The second term went the Stingrays’ way on the scoreboard, with the Rebels failing to goal, while Dandenong’s midfielders gained control and found their targets in the forward line.
Two more goals to Haynes and one to Jason Pongracic saw the Stingrays lead by 31 points at half-time. The Stingrays defenders stepped up through the second quarter with Jordan Kelly, Matthew Buntine and Robert Hill rock solid with their strong counter attacking.
The third term was a tighter contest, with the Rebels gaining momentum through the midfield and kicking truly to take full advantage of the strong winds blowing across Eureka Stadium.
Goals to Brett O’Hanlon on the run, Todd Elton and Adam Giobbi saw the Stingrays’ margin blow out to 42 points going into the last quarter.
The final term saw hard running and increased tempo pay off as the Stingrays boosted their match-winning lead out to 62 points by the final sire. Again, the Rebels failed to goal in this quarter.
Stingrays coach Graeme Yeats was rapt with his players’ efforts and the way they rebounded from last week’s one-point loss.
“To get a win against the Rebels on any given day at Eureka Stadium means we must have worked hard,” Yeats said. “They are a quality team and hard to beat at home.”
Best on field for the Stingrays were the hard-running backline of Hill, Kelly and co-captain Buntine, Haynes with four goals in blustery conditions and running ball magnets Corey Buchan and Billy Rolfe.
The Stingrays play Geelong Falcons at Craigieburn’s Highgate Recreation Reserve at 2pm on Saturday.
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