Bears bully Tigers in top four tussle

In what was supposed to be a tightly contested clash between two premiership contenders, one team dominated its opposition in grizzly conditions and secured a statement victory.

Shepparton made the journey to Rochester to take on the Tigers for the second time this season, with the first fixture resulting in a 45-point Bears victory at home in round three.

However, heading into the match on Saturday, Rochester was a vastly improved side that had won 10 games on the trot, including one against Echuca to be the only team to beat the Bombers this season.

The opening quarter was tight, with neither side being able to break away before quarter-time — the scores being 1.2 (8) to 2.0 (12) in Shepparton’s favour.

With the wind sharp, the sky gloomy and the deck slippery, no-one could have been expecting the second-quarter blitz from the Bears.

In the second term, Shepparton outscored Rochester 37-7 to open up a 34-point lead at the main break.

Shepparton’s scoring was fluid and dynamic — as it has been all season — with no player kicking more than two goals for the match and yet 16 majors sailed through for the away team.

The Bears had four multiple goal-scorers: Trent Herbert, Xavier Stevenson, Joel Brett and Jhett Cooper.

Overall, the Bears had 12 individual goal-kickers, once again proving their ability to hurt teams in multiple ways.

Shepparton came out roaring to start the second half, with three quick-fire goals to Cooper, Stevenson and Brett nearly putting the result beyond doubt with the scores at 15-67, Shepparton’s way.

Rochester was then able to slow down the Bears’ onslaught, but by that point, the damage had been done.

The final score was 7.6 (48) to 16.9 (105) in an imposing display from the Bears.

The Tigers make the trip to Tatura Park to face the cellar-dwelling Bulldogs next Saturday.