Tigers on the Rise
Battling out for a home game advantage in the semi finals, the Cronulla Sharks were no match for the energized and dedicated Balmain Ryde-eastwood Tigers, who progressed another spot up the ladder in the NSW cup with a solid 31 - 18 win at Toyota Park on Saturday.
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The only thing keeping the Tigers out of the top 3 position this year has been their excessive penalty count. Defensively they were simply the better side, as they should be since they have had a lot of practice, with an average position rate in the 40% range. But it's paid off as even with up to five consecutive sets the Sharks just couldn't break through.
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The Sharks played a textbook style game with little panache. They were camped inside the Tigers fifty for the majority of the first half, but were unable to get on the scoreboard. Although this was more of a tribute to the Tigers defence, whose communication was excellent, putting pressure on the Sharks which forced errors.
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The only try of the first half was from Rhys Hanbury, who scored 2 on the day, when he snatched a long pass out of the air then stepped inside to cross the line. This was converted by Josh Lewis, who gave the Tigers another single point right on half time with a 20 metre field goal, 7 - 0.
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The second half managed to put a bit more thrill into the game, as both sides picked up momentum which converted into points. The Sharks found strength when they started to manhandle some of the smaller Tiger's players, gaining one on one rakes and forcing the Tigers wingers out of play. However in the same token they were left scattered in the face of the Tigers forwards Dean Webster, David Gower and Al Schirnack.
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The Sharks centre Filinga Filiga found their first points when he caught a bomb 2 metres out from the line and dived over in the 45th minute, 7 - 6\. But this was outshone 3 minutes later by a brilliant inside ball from Matt Parata as he was being forced out, but which slammed into the hands of Captain Lee Bennett who scored in the corner, 13 - 6.
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Tigers Coach Paul Fletcher was correct when he said "how do you pick one top effort when they all played outstanding? Everyone played their part to perfection and I have to give credit to all 17 of them."
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And thus the points kept coming for the Tigers. Although the Sharks did get another 2 tries (Tohi Leha and Jon Tavinor) they never really looked much of a chance. Balmains form was on, with Josh Lewis controlling the centre and Handbury and Ryan Carr creating options for breaks.
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Parata, Hanbury and Carr all scored in the second half in what was some of the tightest tries of their season, just outmatching the Sharks defence. However credit should go to Sharks winger Matt Cooper who gave a solid performance all day.
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This win brings the Tigers level with the Sharks and their next opponents Wentworthville, who are all fighting hard to take fourth position into the finals for the ever important home turf advantage.
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Next week is our last home game of the season on Saturday at 5pm.
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See you there.
