Round 11
Easts Tigers 30 d. Norths Devils 16

2008 Wizard Queensland Cup Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats]

Location: Australia > Queensland > State/Metropolitan Level Competition: Wizard Queensland Cup

Tigers outlast flashy Devils
Sun May 25, 2008
Source: www.qrl.com.au

Easts coach Darren Smith has blasted his team for a poor second half performance after the Tigers just managed to thwart a late comeback from the Norths Devils to win 30-16 at Langlands Park.

The first half from Easts was a clinical display.

The Tigers poured on so many tries in the opening stanza that by the time Liam Campbell scored the team's fifth, the club's teenage cheerleaders were too tired to do a post try routine.

But the second period was different as Norths out enthused their much older opposition.

Norths, who had the services of Broncos youngster Joel Moon for the first time in a month, scored three consecutive tries to peg the score back to 26-16.

It was only then that Easts started to gee each other up, after barely talking at all in the second half.

Then, with 10 minutes to go, Easts laid on a beautiful scrum play 40 metres out to see winger Luke Wright score in the corner.

"We definitely slacked off in that second half," Smith said.

"It's all about attitude and we didn't show enough respect to the opposition."

"If I were a betting man, I would put something on Norths to do well next year. They have a lot of good kids in that side."

From the opening whistle, Easts' game plan was to attack Norths' young backs.

The Tigers, even from inside their own 10 metre line, spun the ball to the flanks and their tactics proved effective. Fullback Tangi Ropati and winger David Wood scored in the opening 20 minutes.

"I want my guys to be football players, not athletes," Smith said.

The biggest surprise in the match was how well 105kg prop Charlie Tonga played at centre, a position he was forced to take after the injured Wood left the field.

Tonga was involved in the final try that sealed the game.

Norths best players were Moon and tireless prop Troy Hansen, who regularly carried Easts defenders with him over the advantage line.

Easts captain Mark Sipple was named man of the match, but young halfback Jason Connors was most impressive for the Tigers.

The diminutive playmaker laid on two tries for Easts through a good kicking game and selective passing and he even chased down Norths flyer Rodney Davies from behind.

Easts are now just one point out of the top five, while Norths sit last on the table after 11 rounds.

Report Source: www.qrl.com.au

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