AT the end of a see-sawing Central West AFL derby it was the Bathurst Bushrangers Rebels who once again peaked at the right time to see off their Outlaws club mates.
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Only two points separated the Bushies teams last time they met this season and on Saturday another close contest unfolded, with Rebels rallying over the final quarter to in 11-10-76 to 9-12-66.
Both teams have been hit hard by injuries over the middle stage of the season and their latest meeting at George Park 2 shaped up as a depth and fitness tester.
Rebels began strongly in the opening half to lead by 21 points at the main break but the Outlaws were in no mood to be upstaged again.
Outlaws outscored their clubmates six goals to two to take a one point advantage into the final term.
However, the see-sawing nature of the game didn't end there.
Rebels regathered their structure and improved their midfield play to get the edge on their opponents and keep themselves just one win away from top-placed Orange Tigers.
Rebels co-coach Matt Archer said his side did well to turn around their game against an Outlaws squad running riot over them after half-time.
"We felt comfortable in the first half but in the third quarter they came out on fire and we just couldn't seem to get our hands on the footy," he said.
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"At three-quarter time we talked about the need to keep our composure and strucutre and to get a bit of fight about us.
"They kicked the first goal in the last quarter and we just could have packed up shop and put our heads down but to our guys' credit they stuck it out and kept believing."
Archer gave praise to Ben Phillips for leading the final quarter revival.
"He was outstanding," he said.
"Him and Mick [Phillips] were great and provided a target across half forward and we were able to get some deep entries because they were winning so much football.
"While he didn't get on the scoreboard nearly all goals in that final quarter went through his hands."
Outlaws co-coach Steve Grundy said there was no shortage of attacking ambition from his men after half-time.
"We really struggled to get going in the first half but we stuck by the Rebels, who probably didn't put as many points on the board as they should have," he said.
"In the third quarter we changed up the forward line and made a few changes in the midfield and that sprung us into life.
"We had all that momentum but the fourth quarter turned into an arm wrestle and the Rebels ran away with it late. Our best games, unfortunately, have been two losses now."
The loss keeps the Outlaws locked in a tight battle for the fourth spot on the table.
Despite losing, the Outlaws jumped up a position to number four on the ladder courtesy of the Dubbo Demons' big loss to the Bathurst Giants.