The team played hard, committed and team-orientated football for four quarters to come out on top in an even tussle.
In the first quarter, the young Tigers had the aid of a handy win and capitalised well on it, with Harvey Keating kicking two first quarter goals and Darby Martin snapping cleverly to give the team a 21-point lead at quarter-time.
The second quarter was dominated by Kangaroo Flat, but a brilliant team defence, led by Tex Jones, meant that they were able to hold the Flat goalless and take a 17-point lead at half-time.
The Tigers knew that they had a chance to put a big gap between the two teams if they could use the wind in the third quarter.
The boys carried out the plan perfectly for the first half of the quarter, with goals to Darby Martin, Harvey Keating and Leo Hayes opening up a 35-point lead.
However, two late goals to Kangaroo Flat meant that the difference was back to 24 points in the last quarter and the team would be kicking into the wind.
Coach Hartshorne encouraged the team to continue to attack and to make sure they got the reward they deserved for their efforts for the first three quarters.
The last quarter was an intense battle and both teams believed they could win it.
It was a clever kick from Keating that found Martin 25 metres out from goal that would prove to be the sealer.
He kicked truly and the young Tigers had capped off a brilliant team performance.
The Tiger midfield was excellent all day.
Leo Hayes won a mountain of the footy and used his long left foot to drive the ball long into attack for his team.
He also managed to dribble a goal through from outside 50!
Harvey Keating was clever all game with his hand-balling and kicking, setting up teammates in better positions and finished the game with three goals.
Darby Martin was the third midfielder and he worked tirelessly to provide attacking options.
He was able to finish off his good work with three goals also.
Morgan Boyack played a great game in the ruck, giving his team first use of the ball and taking many marks all over the ground.
The backline held firm all game and was lead by the strength and run of Tex Jones and the desperation and aggression of Reno Mountjoy.
Final Scores: Rochester 7.6 (48) to Kangaroo Flat 4.8 (32).
Best Players: Leo Hayes, Harvey Keating, Darby Martin, Morgan Boyack, Reno Mountjoy, Tex Jones. Goals: Harvey Keating 3, Darby Martin 3, Leo Hayes 1.
Mayreef Pty Ltd one per center award: Asher Lehmann
Boot to ball: Rochester mid-fielder Lachlan Joyce was again his team’s best player, the Tigers suffering a loss after a slow start to its game with South Bendigo.
Tigers go down
The Rochester Under-16s were slow out of the blocks on Sunday and paid the price in their game against South Bendigo.
Kicking into the wind in the first quarter, the Tigers were under siege from the first bounce.
South seemed to own the footy and bombarded the goals.
However, the Tigers defended fiercely and desperately and with the help of some bad kicking from South Bendigo, only found themselves down by 14 points at the first change.
The wind unfortunately died down in the second quarter and the Tigers continued to struggle to get their hands on the ball.
South Bendigo dominated the second quarter, with the Tigers only scoring shot being a quick-snapped goal from Oliver Williams.
The boys were 35 points down at half-time and the game looked like it could be a blowout.
The third quarter was much more competitive from the young Tigers.
The team upped its work rate, tackled harder and played much better footy for the third term.
The highlight of the quarter was two brilliant goals in a minute by Harrison Keating.
Both teams kicked two goals for the quarter and the boys had proven that they could compete in the game.
The last quarter was again a much more even and hard-fought encounter, with Rochester kicking two goals to South Bendigo’s three.
The footy that the boys played in the second half was very encouraging.
The midfield got their hands on the footy, the backline were tighter and ran and created when they had the chance and the forward line looked much livelier.
The challenge for the boys now is to find a way to put that together for four quarters.
Lachie Joyce and Harrison Keating never stopped trying in the midfield and ran themselves into the ground.
They also provided great aerial targets all over the ground.
Jordy Rasmussen was the pick of the backline, gaining many intercept possessions and using the ball well.
Matthew Harrington competed hard in the ruck and Oliver Williams provided some dash for the team.
A big thanks to Harvey Keating and Darby Martin for backing up after their Under-14 game to help out for the Under-16s.
Final Scores: Rochester 4.3 (27) lost to South Bendigo 10.21 (81).
Best players: Lachie Joyce, Harrison Keating, Jordy Rasmussen, Matt Harrington and Oliver Williams. Goal Kickers: Harrison Keating 2, Oliver Williams 1, Bill Hipwell 1.
Rochester Football Netball Club one per center award: Harvey Keating and Darby Martin.