The Metricon Bendigo Bombers produced a solid four quarter performance to defeat the winless Box Hill by 35 points at Box Hill City Oval on Monday.

 

A big crowd witnessed the game on the Queen’s Birthday, and were on hand to see the Bombers notch up their third win for the season.

 

The game started off at a frantic pace with both teams wanting to get the ascendancy early. Box Hill were able to get the game’s first goal, after Cameron Pedersen took a strong mark and goaled.

 

Bendigo then took over the game, and Danny Chartres kicked the Bombers’ first goal from a snap. Brent Hartigan kicked his first and Bendigo’s second, after a great mark inside 50. Box Hill locked the ball down in their half forward line to try and score a goal, but it was to no avail. The ball went forward for Bendigo, and after some good ruckwork from Scott Gumbleton, led to an Adam Ramanauskas goal.

 

Bendigo extended their lead further after Weekes goaled from the boundary line. Bendigo showed more desire for the ball, and controlled the midfield, and deserved a 19 point lead at quarter time.

 

Box Hill started the quarter off better this time, and kicked the opening goal after Garry Moss kicked a good goal on the run. The Hawks were winning more of the ball and this led to another goal, this time to Nathan Batsanis. Big Digby Morrell then kicked his first goal of the day to close the margin to 1 point.

 

But after that goal Bendigo shot away from the Hawks. Simon Davies kicked his first for the Bombers after some great forward pressure. Box Hill became ill-disciplined, as the free kicks and 50m penalties kept coming fro Bendigo. Gumbleton kicked his first after a super pack mark. And soon after, Jarrod Atkinson extended the lead to 19 points after a booming kick from outside 50m. And when Gumbleton scored his second goal after another free-kick, Bendigo were away with a four goal lead at half time.

 

Box Hill came out in the second half and tried to get back in the match early. They started it with a goal to Moss after a Mal Michael error. Bendigo replied shortly after when Cale Hooker goaled following a strong contested mark. It was goal for goal after Morrell marked in the goal square and converted his second major of the day.

 

The game then became a scrap fest, with neither team able to convert their opportunities going forward. Hartigan broke the shackles as he kicked his second major after a strong mark. Rhys Magin put Bendigo 30 points ahead after he converted a great passage of play by the Bombers. Alex Grima kept Box Hill in the game after he kicked a goal on the back of a great run from Luke McEntee. But Bendigo didn’t take their foot off the gas, with James Bristow kicking his first of the match. Bendigo’s defence, led by the imposing three time premiership player Mal Michael held strong as the Bombers were strolling away to a 29 point lead at three quarter time.

 

The fourth quarter was an old fashioned shoot-out. Hartigan kicked his third goal of the game after some great pressure. Box Hill didn’t give in though, and quick goals to Pedersen and Dawson gave them renewed hope of an unlikely victory. Moss then made the margin 17 points after he goaled following a 50m penalty. And when Pedersen kicked his third of the day, Box Hill were right in the game.

 

The crowd, too, were starting to get into the game, sensing that the Hawks could win their first game of the year. But this was where the fight ended for Box Hill. Ramanauskas, Skipworth and Hooker all scored goals to hand back the ascendancy to Bendigo. Beau Dowler kicked a terrific goal on the run to try and keep the Hawks in the game, but it was too late. Hartigan then kicked his fourth goal and Atkinson kicked his second goal to give Bendigo a well deserved 35 point win.

 

The win lifts Bendigo into 11th above Tasmania, while Box Hill remains languishing at the bottom of the table still winless.

 

Bendigo has a home game next Sunday afternoon, where they will play defending VFL champions Geelong at the QEO. Geelong is coming off a three game consecutive losing streak.

 

Bendigo 4.4.(28), 8.5.(53), 12.8.(80), 18.11.(119)