Eden Tigers RLFC News Article

Sharks put the bite on Tiger reserves

July 4th 2010 by Dave Evelyn

Last Sunday saw the Eden Tigers reserve grade side take on the unbeaten Moruya ressies at George Brown Oval. The Tigers ranks were somewhat depleted with several players unavailable, however the return of Mark McBain from injury was a bonus.
The match began with a penalty each before Moruya scored first with Ray Dunn crossing out wide. Eden came back in determined fashion and Reece Wheeler crossed for the home side after a good burst and then a clever blind side play by livewire hooker Matt Evelyn, who along with Nic Rowe, Jock Owen and Ian Smith was also working hard in defence. When Jacob Young came on midway through the first half he also provided inspiration with several impressive hits in defence.
The game turned in a three minute period late in the half when Moruya scored two quick tries to take a 16-4 lead. Eden fought back to be within striking distance when Matt Evelyn scored just before the break and at 16-10 the Tigers were looking promising. A poor attacking option saw Moruya regain possession right on half time and score a decisive try to assume a 22-10 lead at the break.
Coach Rowe was impressed with the team's effort in the first half but stressed that simple errors with lost possession and missed tackles were costing them dearly. The second half began with both sides looking for territorial advantage through kicks, and ultimately the first try of the half came from a kick through. Most observers believed Eden fullback tyrone Thomas had been held off the ball by the attacking player but the referee awarded the try, which was converted to take Moruya to a 28-10 lead. A scrum win against the feed and then a penalty to the visitors led to their next try was converted and the lead was extended to 34-10.
The local crowd were treated to something very special next when Tyrone Thomas fielded a kick inside his own 20 and then , with a shimmy, step, shimmy, swerve and electrifying pace he split the front line defence with an angled run, then changed direction and beat the cover running to the opposite corner in a run of about 130 metres.
This piece of magic inspired the Eden side, and the boys lifted their intensity with rob Geraghty leading the way. A couple of quick penalties put Eden on the attack but solid defence denied the Tigers until Mick Schelfhout crossed out wide. The Thomas conversion brought Eden back to 34-20. A soft try to Moruya following a poor option kick off the first tackle saw them extend their lead to 38-20.
Eden wasn't done yet though, and a good try to Andrew Evelyn stepping through the defence from close range gave the home fans a slight glimmer of hope at 38-26. A late dropped ball allowed Moruya to have last say on the scoreboard and the final score was 44-26.
As has been the story all season, the Eden Reserves showed that they can match it in skill and effort with the best sides, but lapses in concentration and an occasional poor option in attack are costing them dearly.I f we can get our full side on the park and string together a couple of wins we can still be a force in this competition, but it will have to start now.