KYNETON prevailed by three points in an entertaining shoot-out against Kangaroo Flat in the Bendigo Football League on Saturday.
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In a vital contest between two sides likely to be fighting it out for one of the last spots in the finals later in the year, the Tigers triumphed 19.12 (126) to 18.15 (123) at Beck Legal Oval.
Less than a goal separated the two sides at each of the first three breaks.
The Roos led by five points at quarter-time and half-time, before the Tigers edged in front by one point at the final change.
Both sides kicked six goals in the final term, but it was the Tigers who hung on to win in a result that leaves both sides with 4-4 records after eight rounds.
"We got headed a few times during the match, but the most positive thing was the way the boys were able to continue to fight back," Kyneton coach Mark Adamson said.
"We just stuck at it whenever they got on top through the midfield, and that's probably something I haven't seen yet from the group.
"I put it to the boys at three quarter-time and got a great response. We had plenty of contributors across the whole side, so it was a really good effort in a very important game."
Luke Edmondson (five goals) and Kane Ransted (three) kicked eight goals between them to be the Tigers' two best players.
Jordan Collins, Ben Weightman (two goals) and Jake Hyland were other standouts for the Tigers, who travel to Maryborough next Saturday chasing three wins in a row for the first time since 2005.
Kangaroo Flat's 18.15 (123) was the BFL's highest losing score this year, with the Roos suffering back-to-back losses for the first time this season.
"It's disappointing from our end. Our ball-use wasn't good enough, we blazed away too often, we weren't accountable and didn't play the style of footy that we wanted to play," Kangaroo Flat coach Jason Stevens said.
"They are all things that we can control, so that's the most disappointing part.
"It was a tight game from start to finish and shows that both sides are around the same mark, but unfortunately, we lost."
James Saville through the midfield was the Roos' best player.
Cameron Rinaldi (six) and Matt Giri (five) combined for 11 goals, while in his return from a groin injury, onballer Corey Greer (three goals) was also among the Roos' better players.