Coming off a forfeit last week, the Falcons were hoping to come away with an important win at the weekend in the annual Goldfields Bowl between the two rivals.

Ballarat got off to a great start, scoring the games opening touchdown to take an early lead.

The Falcons the lead would not last for long, as the Dragons went on to score the game's next 24 points to take control of the match-up.

Ballarat would draw closer, scoring another touchdown to cut the lead to just 12 points, however this was as close as the Falcons would come for the remainder of the contest.

Bendigo continued to pile on the points, scoring 23 unanswered points before ultimately running away with a 53-26 victory thanks in part to a 280 yard, three touchdown performance from Dragons running back Branden Walker.

The loss leaves the Falcons in sixth-place on the ladder ahead of its next game against the 10th-placed Melton Wolves.

The Wolves will be looking to turn its form around, having lost its past six games after opening the new season with a pair of victories.

The two sides haven't faced off since September 2018, which saw Ballarat come away with a 10-point victory at home.

LADDER

Western Crusaders 16

Melbourne Uni Royals 14

Monash Warriors 14

Geelong Buccaneers 14

Croydon Rangers 12

South East Predators 12

Bendigo Dragons 6

Ballarat Falcons6

Monash Barbarians 6

Melton Wolves 4

Pakenham Silverbacks 2

Northern Raiders 2

Peninsula Sharks 2

Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.