Tatyoon has held on in a low-scoring battle against the Ararat Eagles at Alexandra Oval on Saturday.
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Tough conditions made it hard for both teams to score with the Hawks ahead at the final siren by 10 points.
Inaccuracy cost the Eagles with the home team having more scoring shots than their opponents but four goals from 16 scoring shots was never going to be enough against an experienced Tatyoon team.
The home team got off to the best possible start, holding Tatyoon goalless in the first quarter while piling on two majors of its own to take a 12-point lead into the first break.
The Eagles benefited from the Wimmera Football League fixture with three Stawell Warriors players returning to their junior team to play under permit during a five-week break between games.
The second term was when the 2016 premiers made their move with an increased across the ground starting to pay off for the Hawks.
Tatyoon finished the second quarter with a 10-point advantage after a five-goal term got them ahead at the long break.
The second half started in much the same with the Eagles struggling to match their first quarter efficiency in front of goals.
The Hawks continued to have ascendancy across the ground with the Eagles unable to match the intensity and skill level as the game went on.
The visitors added two goals to their tally in the third term while the Eagles could manage just two behind to trail by 21 points at the final break.
It was all or nothing for the Eagles, as they tried to bridge the gap but it became increasingly unlikely, as the Hawks were able to combat the home team’s efforts with the Eagles not helping themselves with their goalkicking.
The Eagles kicked 1.6 in the final term, missing some big chances to take back the lead.
The misses in front of goal ensured Tatyoon held on to get the points in the round one match 7.4.46 to 4.12.36.
Brohdie Smyth led the scoring for the home team, finishing with two majors while Lachie Marr and Matthew Blackburn slotted two goals each for Tatyoon.
While the Eagles fell short of the Hawks, the performance should give the squad going into the its round two match against SMW Rovers.
Jackson Taurau was a standout for the Eagles and was named the team’s best while Jarrod Blandford was best on ground for the visitors in the round one match-up.
It will not get any easier for the Hawks in their match this week with a clash against Lismore-Derrinallum on their home ground set for round two.