FIVE goals from Ben Weightman helped Kyneton start the Bendigo Football League season with a win over Gisborne on Saturday.
Weightman, Rhys Magin and Andrew Beckerley played pivotal roles as the Tigers secured a 16.18 (114) to 12.10 (82) victory over the gallant visitors at Kyneton Showgrounds.
Kyneton held a handy buffer throughout most of the match but was unable to put the Dogs away until the final quarter.
The Tigers led by seven at quarter-time and 19 at the main break before Gisborne drew closer in the third term.
The Dogs got within 14 points at three-quarter-time after they booted six goals in the third quarter, but the Tigers finished the better of the two sides.
Kyneton slotted 4.6 to two goals in the last term, banking the first win of Luke Beattie’s reign as fulltime coach.
Recruits Ethan Foreman and Nick Higginson were also named among the Tigers’ best players.
Jack Scanlon was a constant threat up forward for the Dogs, finishing with six goals, while Anthony Belcher and Trent Crosbie were standouts.
Kyneton sat third on the ladder before Sunday’s stand-alone fixture between Sandhurst and Strathfieldsaye.
The Tigers will hope to continue their successful start to 2016 when they host South Bendigo this Saturday.
Gisborne will have to wait until Monday to take the field again on Anzac Day against Golden Square.
