The Keech Australia Fighting Miners crushed the Maroondah Griffins 64-3 in the Victorian Rugby Championship match at Epsom on Saturday.
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After establishing a 24-3 lead at the 62 minute mark, the floodgates opened as the Miners swept away the Griffins, scoring six tries in the remaining 18 minutes.
The Griffins had withstood an onslaught by the Bendigo big men, but the pressure took its toll and the home side pounced.
Maroondah was first to score with a penalty goal, but the Miners responded shortly after with flanker Ale Liliva breaching the Griffins’ defence in a 60 metre dash down the sideline.
Tries to Bendigo centres Phil Keech and Molimuaina Petelo followed before the half-time break as the Miners went to “lemons” with a 19-3 lead.
Bendigo scored a bonus point try early in the second half.
This was followed by a long period of stout Maroondah Griffins’ defence before the Miners’ last quarter onslaught.
While the Griffins were outclassed by the Miners, their set piece play posed some problems for Bendigo’s defence.
However, the Griffins’ backs kicked away possession giving the Miners many counter-attacking opportunities.
The Foundry Hotel man of the match award went to Ale Liliva.
Others to show out for the home team included full-back Alex Tones, number eight Blake Theunissen, flanker Matt Boyle, centre Phil Keech and lock Chris Allison.
Try scorers for Bendigo were Liliva 3, Petelo, Keech, Theunissen, Reynolds, Poingdestre, Tuitupou and Tones. David McDonald kicked seven goals.
Next Saturday, the Miners are on the road at country rival Ballarat.
In the other round nine games on Saturday, Ballarat kept Melbourne Chargers scoreless in its 28-0 victory.
After defeating Bendigo by one point last week, top team Shepparton was stretched again on Saturday.
In a high-scoring contest, the Bulls defeated Monash University 38-30.
There’s six rounds remaining in the home and away season, with Bendigo well-placed to finish inside the top two and earn the double-chance for the finals.
Ladder after nine rounds: Shepparton 42, Bendigo 34, Monash University 25, Maroondah 21, Ballarat 12, Melbourne Chargers 0.
Bendigo’s run home – Ballarat (away), Monash University (away), Melbourne Chargers (home), Shepparton (away), Maroondah (away), Ballarat (home).
