Devils humbled on Mars

FOUR goals from North Ballarat match winner Jamie Quick has given Roosters coach Clint Proctor arguably his most satisfying win from his 26 games in charge.

Under trying conditions that resembled more of an arm wrestle, the hosts were expected to be up against it given a host of key outs. The Roosters had nine players aged 18 or less do enough to worry the reigning premiers out of a game that went down to the wire.

 

The Devils never looked comfortable in the conditions nor at the venue that has yielded just one win from their last six visits.

All kudos to Proctor and his Roosters getting the job done with 12 players sidelined with injury and unavailability.

Quick’s four goals was the difference in a low scoring game.

Seb Collins, Finn Russell and Josh Morris stood up alongside Quick to aid the cause and win as under dogs.

North Ballarat will feature prominently at the business end, wins like these are invaluable as the missing troops stagger their returns.

While Darley coach Dan Jordan was relatively positive in the aftermath it really was one game that got away.

The once enviable aura of the Devils is diminishing by the week despite stellar seasons from big three Brett Bewley, Billy Myers and Nick Hind who featured prominently again in the narrow loss.

The week ahead does not get any easier for the Devils as they prepare to take on the high flying Swans (2nd) at Darley Park.

North Ballarat are away to the Lakers.

 

North Ballarat – Clint Proctor

“Unreal win! On the canvas atm with injuries so credit must go to the lads who played today,” he said.

“Conditions helped us no doubt – Darely such a powerful team around stoppages and are always the bench mark.

“We were able to apply enough pressure to keep the match in tight and eventually take our moments late.”

Darley – Dan Jordan

“Overall: Proud of the boys effort today in difficult conditions – we had a crack,” he said.

“Credit to North Ballarat who ended on the right side of an arm wrestle. Jamie Quick was the difference.

“Backs: Billy (Myers) and Zane (Lehuray) were super down back. Unfortunately Jamie Quick kicked four goals that essentially decided the game / result.

“Mids: Great battle in tough conditions – stoppage after stoppage. Difficult to have any significant impact- Bewley and Hind were solid for us again.

“Forwards: Tough day for forwards in those conditions. Lachie George and Jet Grech battled hard but we did miss Wil Johnson and Jayven Tanner done there but who knows what impact they could’ve had in the rain and with the heavy ball. Executing the basic fundamentals wasn’t easy.”

Final scores:

North Ballarat: 1.2-8, 2.3-15, 3.7-25, 6.9-45 def

Darley: 1.4-10, 3.4-22, 4.6-30, 5.9-39

North Ballarat (Goals): J.Quick 4, S.Artz, T.Bromley-Lynch.

Darley (Goals): N.Hind 2, G.Hatcher, A.Tanner, J.Grech.

North Ballarat (Best): S.Collins, F.Russell, J.Quick, J.Morris, E.Lamb, T.Bromley-Lynch.

Darley (Best): B.Myers, Z.LeHuray, L.George, B.Bewley, N.Hind, J.Grech.

TODD WHELAN