GEELONG Football League under-18.5 held off a fast-finishing Ballarat to record a commendable seven-point win at the Eastern Oval on Saturday.
The GFL set up the victory with a seven-goal to one first half.
Geelong clearly started the better and handled the wintry conditions much better.
The second term also belonged to Geelong as the conditions became more difficult to handle, and
Ballarat had to wait until just before half-time to register its first goal.
The third quarter was played out with minimal scoreboard pressure, with Ballarat managing to kick the only goal for the term.
Ballarat showed greater endeavour as the quarter wore on and appeared to be fiercer at the contest.
The last quarter belonged to Ballarat, with goals to Sam Bromeley-Lynch, Daniel Walker, Matthew Denham and Nathan Wood.
Ballarat held Geelong goalless in the second half, but it was too little, too late.
Ballarat coach Tim Beacham said he was impressed with how players fought the game out.
“They started strongly and we knew that if we kept persisting and doing the hard, unrewarded running we would break them sooner or later.
“To keep a very good side goalless in the final quarter was an outstanding contribution.”
Ballarat also lowered its colours to Bellarine in an under-18.5 match, losing 4.2 (26) to 19.20.
– Michael Hankin, Ballarat Courier
