The Fighting Miners lived up to their name as they fought back to extend the reigning premier before Border Army steadied to win 27-19 on home turf.

The match was a contrast in styles as Bendigo used its big forward pack to crash the ball up around the rucks.

Border Army played a more expansive game, moving the ball wide at every opportunity.

“Things were looking ominous after the first eight minutes, but to the credit of the Bendigo players, they stuck to the game plan and fought their way back into the game,’’ said Fighting Miners’ president Alan Wilkinson.

Down 7-10 at half-time after a Jesse Tuitupou try, the Miners conceded two tries in the first twenty minutes of the second half to fall behind 7-22.

However, they finished strongly as captain and number eight Michael Roche scored two tries.

Young winger Nathaniel Whittle showed a lot of courage, commitment and promise in his first game.

Whittle chased well, and made a try-saving touch in Bendigo’s end zone.

Big forwards Roche, Tuitupou, Poingdestre and Henderson made constant inroads with their hit-ups around the rucks.

Flanker Allan Saville was prominent in a lot of play.

In the backs, Mark Luatutu and Johneen Fagavao made some strong runs and crunching tackles to stifle the Army attack.

Next Saturday, Bendigo tackles Ballarat at Shadforth Park.

Scorers: Roche two tries, J. Tuitupou one try, J. Fagavao two goals.

Team: 1 N. Poingdestre, 2 T. Henderson, 3 W. Trimble, 4 E. Tuitupou, 5 J. Tuitupou, 6 A. Saville, 7 S. McGrail, 8 M. Roche, 9 R. Murray, 10 S. MacDonald, 11 L. Eriksen, 12 J. Fagavao, 13 D. Falliver, 14 N. Whittle, 15 M. Luatutu, 19 A. Wilkinson.