Easts Tigers v Souths Logan Magpies
Suzuki Stadium, Langland’s Park on Sunday, 1 May 2016
The Easts Tigers got a desperately-needed win on Sunday when they defeated traditional rivals the Souths-Logan Magpies 38-32, in a scrappy local derby at Suzuki Stadium, Langland’s Park.
Coming off two losses and heading into the representative round and a bye, the Tigers badly needed the win, while the Magpies also needed the points in order to keep in touch with the top-half of the table.
The first half was a scrappy affair, which Souths-Logan had the better of, as the teams went try for try.
Jack Joass opened the scoring for the Magpies in the seventh minute, running off a lovely pass from half-back Sam Scarlett, who was one of the Magpies best on the day.
Ben Jackson converted to give the Magpies an early 6-0 lead, but Tiger Billy Walters then swooped on a Brentt Warr textbook grubber kick to get the Tigers on the board. Walters converted his try to make it 6-6.
Magpies skipper Phil Dennis responded for his side as he put Daniel Tamou into a gaping hole in the Tigers right-side defence. Jackson converted and Souths-Logan lead 12-6. Soon after, it tied up again when Warr hoisted a clever kick high into the sun, which was too much for the Magpies. Dane Chang scooped up the loose ball to score in the can-bar corner. Walters added the extras at it was 12-all.
Scarlett and Dennis then combined to exploit the same hole on the Tigers right-edge and put Tamou over for try number two. Jackson converted, before he and Walters traded penalties goals to take the half-time score to 20-14.
Souths-Logan opened the second half as they had finished the first, following an Easts error, giving them possession 20m from the Tigers line.
A one-on-one missed tackle allowed Scarlett to score on the left. Jackson converted and the Magpies taking the score to 26-14.
Looking back, the Magpies will be bitterly disappointed they were not able to maintain a 12-point lead and hold on for the win.
Easts had been their own worst enemy in the first half, giving away too many penalties and dropping too much ball. Coach Scott Sipple’s half-time message to his troops was simple – hold the ball, keep it in the middle of the field and let the forwards do their work. They responded in style with Matt White, Mat Pitman and Luke Lavelle all contributing hugely.
A Matt White run drew four defenders too him and created chaos in the Magpies defence, which allowed the opportunity for Tommy Butterfield to crash over from another Brentt Warr grubber.
In the very next set, the Tigers went 100m with Warr swooping on another dropped kick by the Magpies. Walters converted both tries and suddenly the scores were locked at 26-all with 20 minutes remaining.
Once they had the momentum, the Tigers who had really only been hanging-on up to this point, took complete control.
Walters (66th minute) and Butterfield (70th minute) both scored their second tries, whilst Walters kept converting goals to take the Tigers to their final score of 38 points.
The Magpies chipped in with a late try to winger Dan Russell in the 76th minute, but was a case of too-little too-late.
For the Tigers, Warr, Pitman, Lavelle and White led the charge, while for the Magpies it was Scarlett, Dennis, Leon Panapa and Tevita Pangai.
The Tigers will welcome their extended break as an opportunity to get some of their many injured troops back on the field.
They will be especially keen to see the return of experienced centre Shane Neumann to help sure-up their defence, before making the trek to the North Ipswich Reserve in Round 11.
Next round, the Magpies face another tough away game, as they head to Bishop Park to take on the Norths Devils.
EASTS TIGERS 38 (Billy Walters 2, Tommy Butterfield 2, Dane Chang, Brentt Warr tries. Billy Walters 7 goals) defeated SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 32 (Dan Tamou 2, Jack Joass, Sam Scarlett, Daniel Russell tries. Ben Jackson 5, Jack Joass 1 goals).
Easts Tigers
- Leon Ellia-Niukore 2. Dane Chang 3. Jamie Anderson 4. Jacob Paul 5. Whetu Austin 6. Billy Walters 7. Brentt Warr 8. Matthew Zgrajewski 9. Christopher Ostwald 10. Matthew White 11. Jake Foster 12. Dane Hogan (c) 13. Dean Britt 14. Mathew Pitman 15. Liam McDonald 16. Luke Lavelle 17. Tommy Butterfield
Coach: Scott Sipple
Souths Logan Magpies
- Dan Tamou 2. Daniel Russell 3. Cameron Booth 4. Marion Seve 5. Luke Archer 6. Jack Joass 7. Samuel Scarlett 8. Aotealofa Tuimavave 15. Benjamin Jackson 10. Andrew Edwards 11. Leon Panapa 12. Tevita Pangai 13. Phillip Dennis (c) 16. George Fai 9. Jack Walters 18. Jack Anderson 20. Tikiko Noke
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Coach: Josh Hannay
