Tigers troubled by second half Bears attack

A dour opening half ensured Rochester was alive and kicking in the contest despite only kicking 2.5 to half-time, with the Bears managing just 4.4 across the first two quarters to take an 11-point lead into the main break.

But the Tigers had no answer to the Bears’ onslaught once both teams made their way out to the middle for the third term.

While kicking 4.2, Rochester also conceded 6.5 as Shepparton kicked away, heading to the final break with a 26-point lead.

The Tigers were unable to reel the margin in during the final term, as the Bears heaped on four goals to one to fly home to a 45-point win.

Dylan Gordon was once again a solid contributor for Rochy, with the big man notching 12 disposals and 19 hit-outs for the afternoon, while Mitch Bright (11 disposals, two tackles) and Matt Kellett (10 disposals, five tackles) were also influential.

Bailey Wileman was also named among the best, as was Sean Williams, who took his tally of goals to 10 for the year by slotting a team-high three majors.

The Tigers will have a chance at redemption next weekend when they host Tatura at Moon Oval, with both sides having recorded one win from their first three games.

GVNL

On the court, Rochester was valiant in defeat against the Bears, showing it was able to match it at various stages with the so-far undefeated Shepparton side despite eventually going down 47-57.

The Tigers were able to match the Bears in the second and fourth quarters. However, they were unable to hang on across the entire match as they suffered their first defeat of the year.

The first quarter at Deakin Reserve saw Rochy goalkeeper Bridgette McCarty engage in a great tussle with Bears’ star Kimberley Borger, who was firing early to give the Bears a 16-10 lead at the first break.

The two sides went goal-for-goal in the second term, as Tia Webb found her groove for the Tigers.

Without phenom Teal Hocking featuring, Webb stood up in the attacking third for Rochester, firing home 10 of the visitors’ 13 goals in the second quarter to match Shepparton’s effort and head to the main break down by six.

The home side would extend the margin to 10 by the end of the third term, before an even 14-goal apiece final quarter saw the Bears clinch the win.

Webb finished with 33 of her side’s 47 goals, with Borger also dominant inside the semi-circle for Shepparton, putting through 40 of the Bears’ 57 goals.

Rochester will host Tatura at the Moon Oval courts next week, with both sides possessing a 2-1 record at the end of round three.