The final round of the regular season meant it was the last games for the U6, U7 and U8 teams while all remaining teams were playing for a spot in the finals series. Some teams had secured their place while the U16's and O35's were hoping for results to go their way if they wanted to play finals. Enjoy the reports and galleries below.
Tigers U6 Silver 40 De La Salle 56
An out of sorts U6's went down to De La Salle 14 tries to 10 in a game that was full of skill and committed tackling. In the first quarter the scores were locked at 16-16 with ties to Conor Lehane (3) and Ollie Trevillian (1). De La Salled pulled away in the second quarter and kept the Tigers scoreless while scoring 3 tries of their own. In the third quarter the Tigers lifted, with Ethan Welfare making some great runs and Caden MacPherson making some crucial tackles. Raiden Price wasn't overawed and was always looking to take the ball up when given the opportunity. Conor Lehane grabbed another 2 tries in the quarter and the Tigers had a ton of work to do in the remaining quarter if they were to get anything out of the game. The fourth quarter mirrored the first with Conor Lehane scoring another 3 tries and Ollie Trevillian 1. Despite lifting, there was just too much ground to make up and De La Salle claimed the victory 56-40.
Tigers U7 Bronze 36 Engadine Dragons 76
In the first quarter the scores were locked at 16-16 with both teams looking to attack at every opportunity. Jake McMillan scored 3 tries and Jaxon Good 1 try and the Tigers started brightly. In the second quarter the Dragons put on 5 tries to the Tigers 1 and they started to dominate with some strong deep runs that opened up the Tigers defence. In the third quarter the Dragons extended their lead putting on another 5 tries to the Tigers 1. In the fourth quarter the Tigers found a bit of confidence and Jake McMillan scored another 3 tries and Jaxon Good 1 try but the Dragons scored five again to give them a convincing win.
Tigers U8 Bronze 34 Cronulla Caringbah 26
The opening minutes were tight until the Tigers got on the board through a neat try to Sonny Tricker and the the Sharks scored soon after to lock the scores at 6-6 in the first quarter. In the opening minutes of the second quarter, the Sharks had the Tigers on their goal line but quick thinking by Hendrix Malaki, created space and he was able to run the length of the field and score under the posts. The Sharks scored again and the teams went into the break with the Tigers leading 12-10. Ray Logie scored the first points of the third quarter, with the Sharks rushing out of defence. Soon after Sonny Tricker grabbed his second with a good run down the wing to put the Tigers 24-10 ahead. He then grabbed his fourth try at the start of the fourth quarter to give the Tigers a 28-16 lead, before the Sharks scored again to get the scores back to 28-22. The Sharks were beginning to work themselves back into the game but Oscar Nicholls scored a crucial try to get the Tigers out 34-22. The Sharks never gave up and after the bell they scored again to finish the game 34-26.
Tigers U9 Bronze 22 Como Crocs 34
The Crocs nearly scored from a cheeky short kick-off but they did score on the next play after a mistake by the Tigers. They then put on another three tries to go out to a 24-0 lead and were looking dominant. However there is steel throughout this Tigers team and Archer Brassington and then Hayden Walker scored to get the score back to 24-12. Archer Brassington scored again to get the score to 24-18 and then a well worked play allowed Hayden Walker to crash over and get the scores back to 24-22 and the Tigers had all the momentum. Unfortunately for the Tigers the Crocs scored against the run of play and the comeback was ended with the Crocs eventually running out 34-22 winners in an exciting game.
Tigers U13 Bronze 14 De La Salle 0
In their best performance in recent weeks, the Tigers looked solid defensively and showed attacking flair to win the game convincingly. Both teams went set for set in the early stages before a mistake by De La Salle coughed up the ball and the Tigers worked it though hands before Lewis Amesbury collected the ball and scored in the corner. A series of knocks disrupted the flow of the game for the remainder of the half before Lewis Amesbury made a break through the middle of the park, which opened up the De La Salle defence. He was able to break tackles and shrug off the last defender to score and give the Tigers a 10-0 half-time lead.
In the second half the game remained tight with both teams working through their sets. Another mazy run by Lewis Amesbury opened up the De La Salle defence and a quick play the ball saw an opportunity for Hunter Loveday who reached out to score. The Tigers were tackling ferociously and they held their defensive line well. Xavier Viteri played his best game in a Tigers shirt, making tackle after tackle and was always a willing runner. This was a pleasing result and performance for the boys who will go into next weeks finals game with some confidence and belief.
Tigers U13 Silver 24 Cronulla Caringbah 12
The Sharks were up for the game and gave the Tigers a shock through their commitment and determination throughout the game. The Sharks scored the first points and were pressuring the Tigers all over the field. The Tigers were struggling to get any ball and when they broke the line, the Sharks defence held firm and kept them at bay. A spark was needed and this came from a charge down by Billy Dunn who regathered and sprinted away to score. The Tigers got lucky again soon after with another charge down on their twenty metre line and this time Hudson Wilcox collected the ball and ran eighty metres to score under the posts and give the Tigers a 12-6 half-time lead.
In the second half the Sharks were looking for an equaliser and were holding the Tigers in their own half. The Tigers were under pressure until Tom Fraser found some space and was able to use his blinding pace to outstrip the Sharks defence and score to give the Tigers an 18-6 lead. More pressure from the Sharks kept the Tigers pinned in their half until another breakaway run, this time by Zac Porter relieved the pressure and give the tigers a 24-6 lead. The Sharks scored a deserved try in the final minute but this was an important win for the Tigers who were pushed all the way. This victory confirmed the Tigers as Minor Premiers and they will have the week off before playing finals next fortnight.
Tigers U16 Silver 12 Penshurst Kookaburras 24
In front of the cameras the Tigers played the top of the table Penshurst Kookaburras. Thomas Robinson and Albie Lamaro were making their 150th appearances for the Tigers and were hoping for a positive result to celebrate their milestone.
The Tigers made a solid start to the game and were getting through their sets until a dropped ball gave Penshurst the opportunity to attack. The Tigers held firm but a run of penalties gave Penshurst the ball and the weight of possession finally told and Penshurst put on the first points of the game. The Tigers looked dangerous with the ball, but they had so few opportunities in the first half with Penshurst winning the possession count. A dubious strip allowed Penshurst to score again and go out to a 10-0 lead. Harry Melbourne, Kade Bergman and Will Field were busy in the middle and were keeping Penshurst's big forwards at bay. A decent phase for the Tigers saw them pack a scrum on Penshurt's 30 metre line. A run around play which saw Albie Lamaro pass to Alex Mantik, who spotted a gap and used his speed and strength to beat the covering defence and get the score back to 10-6. Unfortunately, the momentum swung back Penshurst's way and they scored again on the half-time bell to go in at 16-6. The second half played out like the first, with Penshurst dominating possession and the Tigers looking dangerous with the ball. The Albie Lamaro, Alex Mantik combination got the Tigers second try with Albie launching a bomb, which was well collected by Alex and he was able to spin and cross the line to score.
Como's game against the Titans was washed out and the table has the Tigers in sixth place and playing finals next week. We will have to see how the JRL adjudicate the wash-out but at this stage the Tigers are finals bound.
Tigers O35 Silver 6 De La Salle 38
The Tigers met the top of the table De La Salle but went into the game knowing the Colts were being beaten heavily, which all but assured the Tigers of a finals place. Knowing this, they took their foot of the peddle and allowed De La Salle to have the victory, saving themselves for next week's first finals appearance. In all seriousness De La Salle had pace all over the park and ripped the Tigers to shreds in the first half.
The Tigers had their moments with Tony Faughey getting through a ton of work, Jay Sykes trying to inspire his teammates with some cunning runs and Steve Brassington getting over the advantage line every time he had the ball. Clinton Jones almost scored the try of the season, running through a gap before a chip kick over the covering defenders bounced kindly, and just as he looked certain to score was tagged millimeters before the try line. Shayne Dwyer did cross for the Tigers in the second half and although the Tigers may have have been beaten on the scoreboard, but they did win other facets of the game, such as;
The Tigers carried more soft tissue and ligament injuries into the game
The Tigers players had more ink per player than their De La Salle counterparts
Collectively the Tigers weighed 136 Kgs less than their De La Salle opponents, and,
The Tigers, collectively were 43 years younger than the De La Salle team
The Tigers will be looking for any advantage in their first finals game and the four wins above may just give them the advantage they seek to win next week.
A fantastic weekend of footy in TIGERTOWN saw the U9's make their first finals appearance ever, the U13 Bronze and U13 Silver teams confirm their finals places with the Silvers being crowned Minor Premiers and the O'35 making the finals in their first season. Thanks to the Crocs, De La Salle, the Dragons and Sharks for a great weekend of footy and we wish all teams the best for the remainder of the season.
