THE Bendigo Fighting Miners have gone down to their goldfields rivals, Ballarat, in the opening round of their Victorian Rugby Union division two season.
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Playing at home at Epsom-Huntly Recreation Reserve, the Keech Australia Fighting Miners were beaten 20-12 on Saturday.
Superior goalkicking accuracy was telling in Ballarat’s victory.
Ballarat was a perfect four-from-four from its kicks at goal, while the Fighting Miners converted just one of four attempts.
Ballarat opened the scoring in the 17th minute when its five-eighth split the Bendigo defence in a 50m dash for the line.
The visitors then stretched their lead to 14-0 at the 30-minute mark with a converted second try.
Bendigo lifted its intensity after half-time, with the Fighting Miners’ big forwards hitting the ball up strongly around the rucks, resulting in tries in the first 10 minutes to Josephar Maiai and captain Blake Theunissen.
Josh Manderson’s conversion of Theunissen’s try brought the Fighting Miners within two, but Bendigo wouldn’t score again as rain started to tumble, making handling and stepping difficult.
The lack of a practice match proved glaring in Bendigo’s disjointed first half that was marred by stray passes and missed tackles and the pack being outplayed by Ballarat.
Better players for the Fighting Miners in the eight-point defeat included Maiai, half-back Dave McDonald, full-back Ryan Spedding, Theunissen and loose forwards Ale Liliva and coach Matt Boyle.
