Eden Tigers Brand Sun

TATHRA CAUSE BOILOVER IN UNDER 18 GRAND FINAL

September 5th 2009

Shell-shocked could be the only way to describe people's reaction to the final result of the Under 18 match with Tathra's fullback Aidan Aitken crossing under the posts as the siren sounded to level the scores at 18 all. Ned Cryer than lined the kick up from straight in front after the siren to win the Premiership for the Sea Eagles with a scoreline of 20 points to 18.
The match began well for the Sea Eagles as they held the Roosters out for a long period of time. Usually in the 1st 20 minutes the Roosters had in all previous matches completely dominated and build up a match winning lead. But the Eagles defence were getting of their line and frustrating the roosters who could not play their normal free flowing football. It took until the 25 minute mark and the Class of replacement Justin Towney to break the defence and get Bega on the board. Billy Hudson converted and the Roosters led 6 nil.
Right on the stroke of half time the Roosters were in again and it was Towney again who provided the lead up work for winger Gareth Law to cross and Billy Hudson again converted to give the Rooster a 12 nil lead at the break.
The 2nd half began with Tathra not being intimidated by the Roosters and were working hard to gain the upper hand. Young 2nd row forward Dean Finucane show plenty of brains to work the short side and crossed in the corner to open the Sea Eagles scoring and this was followed by a Joe Aldridge try not long after when the Sea Eagles created numbers on the left. Unfortunately they were unable to convert but were back in the game trailing 12-8.
Again it was time for Justin Towney who looked like he would be the Roosters savior when he scored and with Scott Hay converting the Roosters led 18-8.
But from here on it was all the Sea Eagles as the Roosters self destructed and their discipline went out the window under pressure. Andrew Anderson crossed next again after the Sea Eagles created numbers on their left side to score in the corner and with Ned Cryer's magnificent sideline conversion the Sea Eagles were circling for the kill.
At times like this it is normally the class players who react and grab the game and for the Sea Eagles they had class in Fullback Aidan Aitken who's long returns of Bega kicks and continued support play had troubled the Roosters all day who jumped up grabbed the ball at 1st receiver stepped accelerated and left 4 Bega Roosters clutching at thin air to score the match winner under the black dot as the siren sounded. The Bega Roosters players devastated as they watch Ned Cryer kick the conversion from right in front to give the Sea Eagles the biggest upset in a long time.
Man of the Match and Moment was Aidan Aitken while young forward Dean Finucane impressed. Winger Rhys Cunningham and centre Andrew Anderson were dangerous in a great performance all round by this team.
For the Roosters Justin Towney was superb, Tom Newton and Sean O'Donnell did everything they could to get the Roosters firing but to no avail.
Scorers
Tathra 20 Tries Dean Finucane, Joe Aldridge,Andrew Anderson & Aiden Aitken Goals Ned Cryer 2.
Bega 18 Tries Justin Towney 2, Gareth Law. Goals Billy Hudson 2, Scott Hay