The Ballarat Falcons have opened its new season in the Gridiron Victoria division 1 competition with a resounding victory on the road.
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The Falcons headed to Reservoir for its first game of the season to face off against the Northern Raiders.
After neither team were able to capitalise on its opening drives, Ballarat hit the scoreboard first through Peter McKay with four minutes remaining in the first quarter.
This score would ultimately open the floodgates for the Falcons, who crossed into the end-zone for a pair of touchdowns from Duncan McIntosh and Jack Bell to close the first half holding onto a 20-0 lead.
Ballarat continued to roll coming out of the half-time break as debuting Jack Squires scored his first touchdown for the team with only seconds remaining in the third quarter.
A fifth score in the fourth quarter to Ryan Guest would close the game and secure the 34-0 victory for the Falcons.
The shut-out win was the Falcons' first ever against the Northern Raiders and acts as the perfect start to another hopeful finals appearance for hungry and more experienced Ballarat side.
Despite finishing with four wins from 11 games in 2018, the Falcons qualified for the playoffs before being bounced in the opening round by eventual premiers Western Crusaders.
Ballarat, who have spent the off-season focused on building its team and developing a more experienced lineup now sit fourth on the competition ladder going into a week two bye before facing Melbourne University in week three.
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