The Southern Roos scored a colossal 21 behinds and just eight goals, while the Storm’s clinical 13-goal and four-point display secured victory at Harrow Recreation Reserve. 

Harrow-Balmoral coach Paul Cleaver gave credit to an impressive Jeparit-Rainbow side, and said his side failed to make the most of its dominant periods. 

“I think the scoreline flattered us a bit, because Jeparit-Rainbow did really play very well,” he said. 

“We probably only played one quarter of good footy, and in that quarter we kicked three goals and 11 behinds.

“It just felt like as soon as we started kicking all these points, we just couldn’t stop.”

Cleaver said the number of behinds was down to a mix of reasons, rather than simply being a result of poor set shots. 

“I think a few were just the result of good pressure from Jeparit-Rainbow,” he said. 

“Of course there were goals we should have kicked but didn’t, but there was a real mix of reasons.”

Storm coach Mark Cocks said the pressure his side applied was the telling aspect of the contest. 

“At the start of the third quarter, we made it our aim to restrict their scoring and get ourselves a six or seven-goal buffer by the final break,” he said. 

“In the final quarter, a lot of their scoring shots were under pressure, so that’s where a lot of the behinds came from. 

“We capitalised on our good play early in the third quarter and we hit the scoreboard hard, and that’s probably what got us the win.”

Jeparit-Rainbow now sits with Southern Mallee Giants as one of two sides yet to be defeated in season 2016 of the Horsham District Football Netball League. 

Peter Weir was in inspired form for the Storm, booting six goals in a dominant forward display. 

Cocks said that Weir’s impact on the scoreboard was vital to the Storm’s success. 

“He missed a few good chances last week against Kalkee, so he knew he had to come out and perform well,” Cocks said. 

“He was working on his set shots throughout the week, so he was feeling pretty confident coming into the game. 

“When Pete’s got his scoring boots on, it makes a huge difference for us.”

Weir’s forward partner Ashley Clugston added two goals to his season tally, which now stands at 21.

Fellow forward Elliot Bath managed to kick three majors of his own, leaving the Storm with a well-spread score sheet. 

Christopher Meyer, Jayden Werner, Samuel Cranna and Sean Bayzand were key performers for the Storm. 

For Harrow-Balmoral, Quentin Willmott top scored with three goals, while Mark Phelan kicked two. 

Tim Austin, Peter Staude, William Plush, Timothy Crick and Sam Brewer also put in good mileage for Cleaver’s side. 

Jeparit-Rainbow’s Brodie Grant remained on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, while the Roos’ James Staude left the field early due to a calf issue.

The Storm now looks to the clash with Taylors Lake in round five, with the Lakers coming off an emphatic thrashing of Natimuk United.

Harrow-Balmoral will aim for redemption when the team faces Swifts on Saturday.