Tigers Brutal Win at Cooma
Eden 39 Cooma 26

May 8th 2011 by Dave Evelyn

The Great Southern Inn Eden Tigers made the pilgrimage up the mountains for their clash with the Cooma Stallions. Weather conditions were very pleasant much to the relief of all the visitors.The game was only minutes old when Toby Timms scored the first try after some strong attacking lead up by evergreen Darren Griffin. Cooma appeared lethargic in defence and this was confirmed when Billy Michelin made a trademark bust up the middle before turning a beautiful ball inside for Laurence Bamblett to score. The Bolton conversion took the score to 10-0. Eden received the ball back from the kickoff and within 3 tackles Ian Smith was over for another try and it was 16-0. Wily veteran Corey Stewart was controlling the ruck area and throwing selective passes to his runners. Phil Crosby was putting in his typical 200% effort and big Tommy Lynch was proving unstoppable. Cooma took play deep into Tiger country and, after a penalty, T.Findlow scored wide out. Zac Smith's conversion brought the score back to 16-6. In the next set Cooma was awarded another penalty and duly scored another try by Jim Boller to bring them back into the match at 16-12. Three consecutive penalties to Cooma right before halftime put pressure on the Tigers' defence but the score remained at 16-12 until half time while the penalty count was 8-0 to Cooma.

Jacko is about to unload a great ball to Todd Bolton which would eventually result in a try 70 metres downfield to Ian Smith after Phil Crosby handled in between.

The second half started as the first had finished - 2 consecutive penalties to Cooma before Eden's Dylan Fletcher slipped through the defence. This was followed in the next set by a great try by crowd favourite Corey Stewart to take the score to 26-12. Three more consecutive penalties to Cooma saw them go on the attack again and Will Berry scored a good try out wide to draw them closer at 26-16. Mitchell Leach scored for the Stallions shortly thereafter and it was 26-20. The Tigers were finally awarded their first penalty and CC Tommy Lynch duly barged his way across the line to put the Tigers in charge by 32-20.

Cooma were putting up a very brave resistance to the Tigers and when they scored again through Boller off the back of a penalty there was only 6 points in the game. Both sides completed several sets until Ian Smith, one of Eden's best, kicked a beautiful field goal under pressure from the defence to give the Tigers a 7 point break.

The final score in the match was another classic try to the great Corey Stewart which, with the Bolton conversion took the final score to 39-26. The final play saw Eden receive a penalty on the bell which took the match penalty tally to 14-3. To date this season the penalties are 22-6 against after 2 matches.

All the Tigers put in big efforts and it would almost be unfair to single out any players as outstanding, although CC Tommy , Billy, Mick Wykes and Jacko did a lot of hard work up front, while Ian Smith, Toby Timms, Griffo and Todd Bolton always seemed to be in the thick of the action.

We have the bye this weekend before the big game against Bega at home on SATURDAY evening the following week.

Eden Captain Coach Tommie Lynch found the Cooma defence to be so soft that he took time out for a short nap on Sunday.