Rugby Victoria Championship title-holder Shepparton is on the board for the new season after producing a trademark thrashing of Ballarat on Saturday.
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The Bulls had to work for it, but once they found their feet there was no stopping them, running away to win 32-5 to move to 1-1 for the season.
It was the perfect response to round one’s stumble, where the Bulls fell 17-13 to Maroondah.
Coach Mark Stevens was pleased with the response and said it was onwards and upwards from here.
‘‘It was a good hit-out, and a great comeback to the week before where we lost to Maroondah,’’ Stevens said.
‘‘The boys were really keen to make amends for that and they did it in fine fashion in the end.’’
While the 27-point win looked a one-sided affair, Stevens said there was no doubt the Highlanders had made his side earn it.
‘‘I wouldn’t say we really controlled the game too much, at the start of the second half they came out quite hard,’’ he said.
‘‘It wasn’t until the last 30 minutes that we really took control of the game.
‘‘Even though the final score looks one-sided, they’d scored in the first half and it was only 13-5 at half-time. I think our fitness and discipline shone through in the end.’’
Five Bulls crossed over for a try, with Kelemete Moananu, Rossetti Tafaoga, Tui Tunumafono, Suamalie Tuiletufuga and Peni Moananu scoring, kicking master Lee-Roy Huthmann-Grace netting the remainder of the points.
Stevens said plenty had improved from the round one display.
‘‘We probably put our structures in place a lot better, the forwards did a great job and the defence was outstanding,’’ he said.
‘‘I think the defence stood out and we didn’t give away too many silly penalties in our own half. It really helps when you play with that discipline.
On the menu this weekend for the Bulls are the Melton Warriors, Stevens suggesting some of the squad’s younger players would get a run against the 0-2 side.
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