NORTHERN Knights captialised on scoring chances far better in a 31-point win against Bendigo Bank Pioneers in Saturday's fifth round of the TAC Cup football season.
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Despite winning plenty of contests through midfield and across half-back, Bendigo was off target for a lot of the contest on Northern's turf at Preston.
Playing in his first TAC Cup match, Jayden Fox from Mildura Imperials kicked Bendigo's first goal.
The Knights led 16-7 at quarter-time and then scored 2.4 as the Pioneers added six behinds in the second term.
A goal by Billy Evans lifted Bendigo's hopes in a hard-fought third quarter.
The Knights led by 21 points at a quarter to play and added 2.3 to five points in the last.
Final scores: Northern Knights 7.15 (57) d Bendigo Pioneers 2.14 (26).
Pioneers' coach David Newett said inaccurate kicking let down the team's workrate across the field.
``I was really proud of the effort over four quarters," Newett said.
``The intensity at the contest and defensive pressure was right up all match.
``Inaccuracy let us down.
"There was a slight breeze and conditions were slippery, but we missed some gettable goals."
The Pioneers' best were Evans in midfield or up forward, Daniel Davie at centre half-back, Liam Barrett and Tommy Cole in defence, ruckman Jack Lawton, and Ryley Barrack.
Newett also praised the leadership and workrate of captain Jake Maher who inspired team-mates with his attack at the contest.
Bendigo has a 1-3 record and heads to Craigieburn this Saturday to play Eastern Ranges.
