Coming off the back of two tight losses, the Miners were looking to prove a point against the out of sorts Spectres.  However it was the home side who shot out of the gate first, getting out to an eight point lead before taking a two point buffer into the end of the term. 

Despite Ballarat wrestling back the lead on two occasions in the second term, it was again the Spectres who had the composure, led by Simon Conn en route to 25 points.

The Miners continued to toil in the third, with Ash Constable knocking down successive three-pointers to help trim the hosts’ lead to two points at the final break.

While a strong effort from Earnest Ross allowed to Miners to extend the margin to nine early in the fourth, they were forced to hold off a late charge to come away with the points.

Captain Roy Booker returned to his offensive best with 30 points, while Ross was also hugely influential for the visitors, racking up six rebounds to compliment his 20 points.

Big men Ollie Bailey and Craig Moller took charge defensively, accruing 11 and six rebounds respectively.

Miners coach Eric Hayes put the success down to a consistent team effort from all nine players who took to the court.

“It was one of those games where everybody did some really good things,” Hayes said.  “Some guys were down on scoring but did a great job defensively.”

The win against the fellow east conference side further adds to the Miners’ finals credentials, who sit comfortably in third place behind Bendigo and Brisbane.  

They will now turn their sights to a double header, which starts in Sandringham against the Sabres before taking on Geelong at the Minerdome.  

“If we want to be in finals contention and make a dent it’s the kind of weekend where we have to show that,” Hayes said.  “If we can get them both it puts us in a much better position.”