First Grade Go Down To Tathra

May 10th 2009-By Dave Evelyn

The Tigers faced up to the Tathra side in their first encounter since Tathra returned to first grade. There were a few wounded Tigers taking the field and a couple of missing faces but after Eden's Tom Bell scored the first try in the opening minutes no one could forsee the carnage to come. Tathra could do little wrong and the referee seemed merciless as he awarded three consecutive penalties to the visitors for offside, a strip and holding down in the tackle, and Tathra scored the next try after a clever kick by Josh Finnucane saw Chatfield touch down. Finnucane converted to put Tathra in the lead, and that is where they stayed.

Billy Michelin arrives at the ground before the Tathra game. Billy Had a huge game but to no avail as Tathra defeated Eden 46 pts to 8. In the background is Eden's vocal supporter and ex first grader Yak Goward.

More penalties came to Tathra, this time for interfering with the marker ( haven't seen that one for a long time..._), and for a high tackle ( above the naval is the new rule apparently) and Tathra were in again to go 10-4 up. Following another penalty, this time for another strip, Tathra's Parson scored and the conversion took the score to 16-4. Anothe penalty to Tathra for a high tackle and this time Josh Finucane scored adjacent to the posts and converted to take the score to 22-4. After another penalty to Tathra, this time for a late tackle on the kicker, Tathra went on one final attack and were awarded a try from a dubious decision by the referee who had the local crowd baying for his blood and the Eden players mystified. The visitors were'nt finishe yet however, and scored another try just before the break for the score to read Tathra 32 Eden 4The penalty count at half time was 9-3 to Tathra.

Coach Geerke was less than flattering in his appraisal of his shell shocked charges first half effort, and urged them to cut down on undisciplined play and respect possession in the second half. The Tigers did regroup after the break but after about 12 minutes Tom Prior scored again for the visitors , followed shortly thereafter by another and any chance of a miraculous Tiger recovery was laid to rest. Eden's Tom Bell crossed for his second try to take the score to 40-8. Cameron Cook, the Tathra no 2 scored his third try shortly after, and the score finished at 46-8, a very convincing win for Tathra but a very disappointing result for the Tigers which was their third loss from four games this season so far.

For the Tigers Tom bell gave his all, captain coach Mick Geerke never gave up, Rob Horton and Billy Michelin never stopped in attack and defence, and Todd Bolton also gave his all.

Next week we have all three grades playing at home against Bega.