By Melissa Tabet (Tigers)
In Round 12’s opening match, the Burleigh Bears scored 26 unanswered points in the second half to overcome Brisbane Tigers.
The Tigers were leading 18-6 at halftime before a try to Kurtis Rowe early in the second half helped sparked the comeback victory.
Pizzey Park was awash with torrential rain from the kick-off as both teams collectively produced 14 errors in the first half.
However, the rain didn’t seem to faze the Tigers as they put in a first half performance that belied the fact this was a team in the midst of a seven-game straight losing streak.
Channelling his soccer skills, the first points of the game came in the fourth minute of the match through Tigers winger Zac Croft.
The Bears hit back quickly with a successful 40/20 kick which gifted them excellent field position.
Later in the set, hooker Pat Politoni caught the Tigers defence off guard as he scored the Bears first try of the game in the 10th minute, with Josh Rogers converting the try.
The next points came through Tigers hooker Haele Finau as he sold a perfect dummy and scored his first Intrust Super Cup try with Brayden Torpy converting the try to add the extras.
However, an array of errors characterised the next 15 minutes of the game before Tigers centre Kea Pere stopped the rot and went over to score his seventh try in his Intrust Super Cup career. Torpy again added the extras.
The last points of the first half came right on the buzzer as Torpy successfully kicked a penalty goal to give the Tigers an 18-6 lead.
The rain stopped pouring down with the Bears coming out to play in the second half, scoring their 24 unanswered points.
Overall, while the Tigers completed at 80 per cent compared to Burleigh’s 56 per cent completion, it wasn’t enough for the Tigers to come away winners in a rare Friday night clash.
Sami Sauiluma scored a key try for the Bears in a fitting celebration of his 100th game with the club.
This weekend, the Bears will face Souths Logan Magpies at Pizzey Park – Saturday 31 July, 4:00pm at Pizzey Park.
The Tigers will travel to Bishop Park to take on the ladder leaders Norths Devils – Saturday 31 July, 5:00pm at Bishop Park.
Watch the Bears v Tigers match highlights here.
TOP 3 PLAYER STATS
Made Tackles
Bears – Sam Coster 45
Bears – Hayden Schwass 38
Tigers – Bennett Leslie 38
Runs
Tigers – Mitch Frei 23
Bears – Sami Sauiluma 15
Bears – Andre Niko 14
Metres with Ball
Tigers – Mitch Frei 225
Bears – Sami Sauiluma 192
Bears – Kurtis Rowe 156
Kicks in Play
Tigers – Darren Nicholls 12
Tigers – Kyle Coghill 8
Bears – Shallin Fuller 8
Main photo: Margie Keates Photography
