Centurions turn on the points at Leichhardt
Michelle Boon
2/08/2011 10:12:41 AM
The Central Coast Centurions have moved further into the top 8 with a confident 44-28 victory over a disappointing Balmain Ryde-Eastwood Tigers at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday.
The Coast were over in the 2nd minute of play when five eighth Simon Allen scored next to the posts slipping through a gap close to the Tigers’ line following a wonderful opening set of six that gained them plenty of metres upfield. Halfback Scott Briggs converted to lead 6-0.
5 minutes later Tigers’ prop Andrew Fifita crossed out wide taking advantage of the Centurions spilling a Rhys Jack bomb near the line & finding himself in perfect position to clean up the loose ball. Centre Sean Meaney didn’t convert & the score was 6-4.
7 minutes later Tigers’ fullback Jake Mullaney score out wide slicing through the right hand centres 15m out off a great pass but Meaney couldn’t convert, giving the Tigers the lead 8-6.
In the 19th minutes Centurions’ winger Mitch Williams crossed in the left hand corner finishing off a good backline move from a 3-on-2 overlap. Briggs didn’t convert but the Coast were now ahead 10-8.
With 11 minutes to go Tigers’ replacement Eloni Vunakece scored a superb solo try out wide breaking through the middle 45m out from the Centurions’ line then showing great speed & determination to eat up the metres on an angled run before holding off the fullback over the last 10m, leaving himself with enough momentum to make it to the line & plant the ball down. Meaney continued an awful day with the boot but the Tigers had snatched the lead back 12-10.
4 minutes later Centurions’ centre Simon Williams scored in the left hand corner after supporting a good break made through the left hand centres. Briggs converted from near the sideline to put the Coast back in front 16-12.
Right on half time Centurions’ centre Siuatonga Likiliki scored in the right hand corner after they made a break up the middle of the field 30m out from the Tigers’ line & in that set they pushed the ball right towards the short defence & despite their best scrambling efforts the Tigers weren’t able to hold him out. Briggs couldn’t convert so the Coast took a 20-12 lead into the half time break.
The second half progressed in a way that nobody at the ground could have predicted before resumption.
The Tigers were determined to turn the match back in their favour & off the restart Meaney scored under the posts after he sent winger Mitch Brown on a flying run down the right hand touchline from 10m their side of halfway evading a couple of defenders, then was on the spot for the inside pass from Brown 10m out from the Centurions’ line to cross untouched. Mullaney converted to edge the Tigers closer at 20-18.
5 minutes later Meaney notched his double out wide backing up a beautiful offload from second rower Junior Moors 10m out. Brown nailed the extras from the sideline to put the Tigers back in front 24-20.
3 minutes later Centurions’ fullback Kevin Naiqama scored under the posts after he latched onto a beautiful pass held up perfectly to create a gap up the middle & Naiqama sped through untouched from 10m out. Briggs’ conversion gave the Coast the lead 26-24.
6 minutes later Centurions’ replacement Shaun Boss crossed out wide slipping under some desperate defence & another Briggs’ conversion extended the lead to 32-24.
With 17 minutes to go Centurions’ winger Daniel Phillips scored one of the craziest tries witnessed all season when the Tigers appeared to rake the ball out of a tackle towards their line 15m out. With a penalty or scrum decision expected, Phillips played to the whistle & carried on, racing through to regather the loose ball & scamper over, resulting in a try being awarded out wide. Briggs’ conversion put them further ahead 38-24.
With 10 minutes remaining Naiqama notched his double, scoring under the posts slicing back inside through tired defence 15m out on another brilliant angled run. Briggs converted to put them out of reach at 44-24.
Right on full time Mullaney also notched his double scoring a consolation try in the left hand corner & with Meaney unable to add the extras the Centurions were deserving winners at full time 44-28.
This is certainly one that got away from the Tigers. After the Coast’s poor showing against Wests last week & the earlier loss by North Sydney in Auckland, a win would’ve moved them into 6th position & gone a long way to ensuring their place in the semi-finals. Now next week’s match against the North Sydney Bears looms as a must-win, so be at North Sydney Oval on Saturday 6 August for kickoff at 3pm.
