The Bendigo Fighting Miners didn’t win the battle, but they proved they’re genuine Victorian Rugby Championship contenders.
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The Fighting Miners went down 11-10 to Shepparton in the top-of-the-table clash at Epsom on Saturday.
The Miners led by two points in stoppage time, but they conceded a penalty within kicking range which the Shepparton Bulls kicker duly slotted to sink the Miners.
The game was close early, with both sides taking a successful penalty kick to tie the scores at 3-3.
Midway through the first half, Bendigo number eight Blake Theunissen picked the ball up off the back of the scrum and powered his way over to score the first try.
Coach Dave McDonald add the extra points to give the Miners a 10-3 lead.
The Shepparton Bulls came out after half-time fired up and within 10 minutes had reduced Bendigo’s lead to 10-8 with an unconverted try of their own.
This was the score until the 80th minute and Bendigo couldn’t kick the ball out to end the game.
The Miners conceded a penalty within their own half and the Bulls took this opportunity and ran out winners 11-10.
Standout players for Bendigo were J. Tuitupou, B. Theunissen, N. Poingdestre, M. Boyle, S. Reynolds, A. Liliva.
