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Reserves Gallant in the Mountains
Eden 12 Cooma 32
July 24th 2011 by Dave Evelyn
The latest version of the Eden Reserve Grade team braved the difficult conditions and took the field aginst the Cooma Stallions in Cooma last Sunday. The game started well for the Tigers with an early penalty for a high tackle putting the team on the attack before hooker and captain Matt Evelyn caught the defence napping to scoot over and touch down to put the visitors in front 4-0. The new halves combination of Creswick and Brown were having difficulty combining with each other and the rest of the team, but the Tigers were looking solid in defence, with Wayne Wykes and Wade Irvin particularly busy. Cooma had a short period of dominance in possession which finally led to them scoring a converted try and taking the lead 6-4. That lead was very short lived as Eden mounted an impressive attack involving Matt Evelyn, Creswick and Brown before fullback Andrew Evelyn burst through to score and take an 8-6 lead. A scrappy period of play ensued before Cooma scored their second to retake the lead 10-8, and the score remained at that until half time.
What stand in coach Sheldon Wykes said to the player at half time is unknown, but it had an immediate impact as Cooma scored three tries in three sets to blow the Eden side away and take A 26-8 lead. Weight of possession went Cooma's way and the Tigers seemed to be stunned. They did eventually settle down and regain composure although their handling was noy good and they were forced to do a lot of tackling. Eden were next to score when Dylan Wheeler was rewarded for his tireless efforts with a try after a strong run by Matt Evelyn, but again the try was not converted. A late try by Cooma took the final score to 32-12. The score was not nn indication of the way the Eden team played. But for the early second half lapse there was nothing between the two sides although Cooma looked better organised in attack.
For Eden Wayne Wykes and Wade Irvin did a great job, Jock Owen was again good, Aaron Umback played a very good game, Wheeler, Creswick and the Evelyn brothers also stood out.
Tigger