Tigers Storm Into Grand Final
Eden 22 Cobargo 14

August 28th 2011 by Dave Evelyn

The Eden Tigers have secured a place in the Group 16 grand final after a solid if not spectacular victory over the Bega Roosters in the major semi in Eden on Sunday. The Roosters, meanwhile, will have to face off against the Tathra Sea Eagles in the preliminary Final next weekend to qualify for the decider. The match started as expected with some torrid clashes between the forwards. Referee Ryan blew several early penalties putting the teams on notice that he was in full control. Eden appeared to have an early advantage in possession and field position, and the vocal locals in the crowd were hushed when Bega scored the first try of the match with Dayne Burton scoring out wide after Eden had spilled possession. A glorious sideline conversion from Matthews saw the Roosters to a 6-0 lead. Within minutes Bega had scored again after a Tigers handling error and a penalty, but with the conversion unsuccessful the score had progressed to Bega 10 Eden nil, and the crowd was stunned. That didn't last very long though because from the kickoff Bega turned over possession and in short time Sam Ellem scooted over adjacent to the posts and with the Bolton conversion the Tigers were back in the match at 10-6.

The Eden crowd were shocked soon after when the Tigers received two penalties in succession, and when a rampaging Neil Baker slipped a trademark ball to Ian Smith for Eden's second try and Bolton converted the Tigers had their noses in front by 12-10. The Eden forwards were working hard against the physical Bega pack, with Mick Wykes , Billy Michelin, Baker, Crosby and Tommy Lynch featuring prominently. The match did open up as the half progressed and both defensive lines were tested without result until the game took another twist. Matt Creswick put in a perfect kick which bounced into the Bega in goal to be picked up by Bega's Sean O'Donnell who raced the length of the field to score a brilliant try and bring the visitors back to the front.

Billy Michelin is one of the main reasons that Eden will be playing in their 5th grand final in 6 years.

Eden built more pressure on the Bega defence as halftime loomed, and in the last play of the half Ian Smith crossed after clever leadup work by Scott Jackson. Bolton's conversion was wide and the half time score was Eden 16 Bega 12.

The second half saw play fluctuating from end to end with both teams completing. Four penalties in succession to Bega still didn't help them across the line. Big Billy Michelin took it upon himself to get things going forward with several damaging runs. The Tigers were unlucky to not score in this stanza of play due mainly to some outstanding defence by Bega fullback Blacker. Play continued to fluctuate from end to end and the game was there for the side that wanted it most. The players had almost played themselves to a standstill when that man Corey Stewart brought the home crowd to its feet in accolade to his undoubted genius when he stepped, shimmied, dummied, stepped and then scored a marvellous try adjacent to the posts. Bolton's conversion took the Tigers to a 22-14 lead which they clung to until the siren.

Standouts for the Tigers in a good team effort were Baker, Michelin and Lynch in the forwards while Todd Bolton was excellent at fullback and Creswick had a good game at half.

It was a very workman like performance by the Tigers , but at the end of the day there really wasn't much between the sides. If Bega do get over the top of the plucky Tathra side next weekend we can be assured of another epic battle in the Grand Final. In the meantime our rampaging Reserve Graders and our League Tag ladies are both playing in preliminary finals in Bega next Sunday, and we wish them success.

Tigger