Playing on home turf at Shadforth Park, the Fighting Miners dominated the battle with last year’s premier.

Bendigo opened its scoring when full-back Josh Manderson was at the end of a string of passes through the Bendigo backline to score out wide. He then slotted the conversion attempt from the sideline.

Manderson was next to score when Bendigo took the penalty kick option after a Border Army infringement in front of the posts.

The Bendigo forwards dominated the scrums, and continued to force turnovers from Border Army.

The Fighting Miners scored again just after 20 minutes when Shane Fagavao completed a strong run down the sideline after the forward pack drove its way upfield.

In the final few minutes of the half, the Fighting Miners were put under immense pressure as BARC produced some of its strongest chances to score.

Handling errors and strong defensive pressure meant the visitors could not score.

At half-time, Bendigo led 15-0.After the break, the Fighting Miners continued their dominance of play.

After several probing runs, Kingi Uerata made a significant line break only to be stopped several metres out.

Uerata passed the ball to a supporting runner on the next phase of play to bring up Bendigo’s third try of the day.

Bendigo’s four try bonus point was achieved when captain Michael Roche was on the end of a series of backline passes to score out wide.

The Fighting Miners scoring ended when John Jefferies grounded a kick through after more Bendigo attacking pressure was applied. Manderson’s kick went over to lead 32-0.

Again Bendigo had to withstand concerted attacks, but it held out, and marked its first clean sheet win for the season.

Tyson’s Reef Player of the Day went to Alan Saville, whose ball scrounging helped cause many turnovers.

Other players to perform well were Josh Manderson, Michael Roche and Steve MacDonald.

Scorers - Bendigo: Josh Manderson, Shane Fagavao, Michael Roche, John Jefferies, Kingi Uerata one try each; Josh Manderson two goals, one penalty goal.

The Fighting Miners head across to Ballarat this Saturday to tackle its goldfields rival.

Kick-off will be at 3pm.