Brett Greinke Billy Walters Jarrod Line up to face Mackay Cutters

Tigers join 300 club with win over Cutters

By John Bartley
Mackay Cutters correspondent

QRL.com.au

Sat 15 Jun 2019, 09:03 PM

Easts Tigers bought up their 300th Intrust Super Cup victory, downing Mackay Cutters 22-10 at BB Print Stadium.

Boasting an already impressive record over the Mackay-based side, Easts looked comfortable and in control as a first-half blitz paved the way for the win over a Mackay side that simply could not hit their stride.

Mackay found themselves on the backfoot as soon as the game began, an early penalty inviting Easts into attacking territory; Matt Cooper latching onto a flick pass to get the visitors on the board first.

Mackay would again be their own worst enemy as a penalty kick from inside their own half failed to find touch; Easts capitalising on the error when Billy Walters sliced his way through some sloppy tackling on the left flank to give his side an eight-point buffer.

Easts would run in another try on the very next set as the Mackay defence continued to falter, Bennett Leslie pouncing on a deflected ball to the in-goal to push the lead past two converted tries.

Easts would continue to punish the hosts’ mistakes, Mackay losing the ball metres from the try line before Easts would scoop it up and go the length of the field in the space of a few tackles; Jarrod McInally crossing out wide off the back of some quick ball movement.

Tom Hughes would cross next for Easts, finding space on the overlap and pushing off some lacklustre defending down the right edge to push the visitors lead past 20 points going into the halftime break.

Round 14 Mackay Cutters 10 vs Easts Tigers 22 Saturday 15 June 2019 at Stadium Mackay

Mackay would finally crack the Tigers defence inside the final 10 minutes, Yamba Bowie running onto a long pass to cross untouched in the right corner before Jordan Kenworthy would add another try for the hosts; but with time running out it would prove but mere consolation.

Easts secured a comfortable 12-point win.

“I’m a little bit confused by tonight’s performance to be honest,” Mackay coach Steve Sheppard said post-game.

“We had our best contact and ball-handling training sessions of the year during the week, but we were flat out completing a set tonight. 

“We won the second half 10-0, and probably had enough possession to win the game, but ball control was a big problem tonight.

“There’s too much inconsistency around our football at the moment, so we need to work hard and be ready to go in two weeks.”

Tigers will face Norths Devils in Round 15 after bye week. 

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