Eden Tigers Brand Sun

Tigers reserves in close finish
Moruya 46 Eden 38

July 4th 2010 by Dave Evelyn

The Tigers John Michelin and Sons sponsored reserve grade side made the long trek to Moruya last Sunday to take on the highly rated Moruya Sharks side. The game started in similar fashion to many of our matches this season with the opposition scoring early after an Eden handling error. Eden's livewire pivot Jamie Mohammed scored shortly after and John Aldridge's conversion was successful to even the scores. A strong burst by Ben Holding saw Eden's Mick Schelfhout score a good try to put the Tigers in the lead 10-6. Moruya scored a soft try shortly after when the dummy half strolled over under the posts, and then scored again in the next set to extend the lead to 18-10. The Sharks scored again after a scrum win against the feed in Eden's half and some very lacklustre defence, extending their lead to 22-10.

A clever kick by Aldridge set up Eden's next try which was scored by the omnipresent Reece Wheeler, but Moruya hit back immediately to post another soft try and move the score to 28-16. It was vital that Eden score again before half time and big Ben Holding , who had a very strong match burst over under the posts to take the score to 28-22 at half time. Fifty points in the first half told the story of both sides lack of application in defence.Jamie Mohammed , Matt and Andrew Evelyn, Will and AJ Grant, John Aldridge, Nick Rowe and Ben Holding were giving their all but against a strong opposition like Moruya we need everybody 100% on their game for 70 minutes and this was definitely not the case with the Tigers. Eden were still right in the match, and without numerous disappointing defensive lapses would have been in the lead.

An exasperated coach Brian Rowe told the team that the task at hand was simple- hold possession and stop missing tackles. Every time Eden had been on the attack in the first half we had scored, but the soft tries the opposition was being gifted were negating our good attack.

Unfortunately when play resumed the coaches words were promptly forgotten when Eden dropped the ball on the first possession and Moruya scored possibly the softest try in group 16 history to extend their lead to 34-22.The undoubted class of Aldridge was plain for all to see and appreciate when he scored a great try slicing through from 40 m and scoring without a hand being laid on him to put the Tigers back in contention at 34-26. Unsurprisingly, Eden then dropped the ball then conceded a penalty and Moruya were in again. Another penalty and Moruya scored again to take them to a seemingly insurmountable 46-26 lead.

The Tigers, to their credit never stopped trying, and Nick Rowe was well rewarded for a big effort when he scored the next try, and Mick Thompson who had limited opportunities crashed through to score a late try bringing the final score to 46-38.

This match really typifies the season for the Tigers reserves. We have a lineup that includes many experienced and skilled players, and enthusiasm in the dressing shed has been overwhelming. We should be winning most games but poor application- reflected in lost possession, conceding silly penalties, taking poor options and lazy defence at times have dictated that the side has underperformed all season.