Tigers Triumphant
Eden 26 Bega 16

August 6th 2011 by Dave Evelyn

As the legends from the famous 1981 Grand Final side looked on, the Great Southern Inn Eden Tigers 2011 side put on a solid businesslike performance to overcome a brave Bega Roosters outfit at George Brown Sportsground last Saturday. There was a sense of expectation amongst the crowd that there would be some fireworks in the early forward exchanges after a fiery last encounter between these sides, but both teams got down to some good tough football. Eden Captain Coach Tommy Lynch led from the front, ably assisted by henchmen Baker, Michelin and Hennessy in particular.

The vocal Eden crowd were hushed when Bega went in for their first try against the run of play through Wayne Northy to take an early 4-0 lead. Within four minutes Bega scored their second try and after the conversion led 10-0. This was the signal for the Tigers to intensify their efforts, and after a couple of penalties and some stirring defence from Darren Griffin Eden went on the attack and Billy Michelin powered over in an unstoppable burst to put the home side on the board at 10-6. The crowd's newly found enthusiasm was short lived as Bega scored the next try with a burst from dummy half exposing some lazy defence, and the visitors had consolidated their lead 16-6. This seemed to spur the Eden side on, and within three minutes the evergreen Griffin scored out wide to bring the half time score to 16-10.

Darren Griffin scoring one of his two trys against Bega on Saturday

Captain Coach Tommy Lynch was disappointed with his side's application and execution at half time. The Tigers had a very low completion rate and had handed the ball over far too often. The second stanza saw both sides playing safety first, out of the first 10 posessions the sidesd kicked on 9 occasions until a judicious kick saw Bega trapped in goal. From the ensuing play Baker slipped a marvellous ball to Griffin and he touched down out wide to bring the Tigers back to 16-14. The momentum of the game seemed to be moving back to the Tigers, and when the enigmatic Corey Stewart came on anticipation was high in the crowd. When Corey sliced through for a Stewart Special the crowd could be heard from Towamba. Neil Baker's conversion took the Tigers to a 20-16 lead.

The highly competitive Bega side were sticking to their game plan and looking to play the game in Eden's territory. A couple of penalties and a 40/20 saw them mount pressure on the Tigers but their defence was inpenetrable. A Bega error saw Eden gain possession and Phil Crosby crashed his way through the defence to score. The Baker conversion brought the score to 26-16, but with over 10 minutes to go the match was still there for the taking. Bega's attack seemed to tire and they dropped possession four times in the closing stages to allow the Tigers to hold on for a solid if unspectacular victory.

Best for the Tigers in a strong team effort were Tommy Lynch, Billy Michelin, Leigh Hennesy and Neil Baker. Phil Crosby and fullback Dylan Fletcher were also very good, while Griffin and Tyrone Thomas were solid at the back.

It was a very significant victory as it has elevated the Tigers back to the top of the premiership table with only one match to go. If the Tigers can overcome Narooma in the last match in Eden next weekend we will have secured the minor premiership and a home semi final.

GO THE TIGERS!!!!!!!

Tigger

Phil Crosby scores the try that would break the Roosters on Saturday.