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Tigers start title defence with solid win.
Eden 26 PamBombula 16
May 6th 2012 by Dave Evelyn
The Great Southern Inn Eden Tigers, defending Premiers in Group 16, began their title defence last weekend with a solid if not spectacular victory over the newly formed Pambula - Merimbula - Bombala side at Pambula.
It was a new look Tigers side that took the field, with the likes of Baker, Lynch, Bolton, Crosby, Ellam, Stewart and Jackson missing, but the new players gave their all and launched the season with a win.
Early in the match the Pambula side looked very disjointed, which was to be expected as they hadn't had much time training or playing together. A series of dropped balls and cheap penalties saw Eden dominate possession, but to the Dogs' credit they managed to keep the Tigers scoreless until, under relentless pressure, Tigers' full back Dylan Fletcher scythed through the defence to score under the posts, convert, and put the Tigers in the lead 6-0.
Early exchanges featured some heavy work with experienced players Billy Michelin, Ian Smith and Ian McBain outstanding, leading their youthful team mates by example. Their best efforts couldn't deny the Bulldogs when they embarked on their first expansive backline move which led to a good try out wide which was not converted.
After posting the try the Pambula side promptly dropped the ball on the first tackle and within four tackles Tigers' livewire hooker Matt Evelyn darted across from dummy half to extend the Tigers' lead to 10-4. The penalty count was beginning to even out and the Doggies were beginning to get their combinations working. With only minutes until the break Eden front rower Ben Holding was sin binned, and from the ensuing penalty the Pambula side scored and converted and the scores were level at the break.
Eden Coach Hennessy was not happy with the defensive effort at half time and the instruction was given to dominate the ruck and ensure all players get back quickly to their feet after making tackles.
The second half was barely underway when the Dogs turned over possession and Chris Challinor scored adjacent to the posts, and the Fletcher conversion gave the Tigers a six point lead. The game became a bit scrappy at this point with five penalties from the next six sets, however the Pambula side received the last penalty of that sequence and managed to score a converted try to even up the scores again at 16 all. Both sides were completing their sets and getting to their kicks, and the match developed into a dour arm wrestle. Pambula received two successive penalties and got over the line only to be held up at one stage.
The Eden side stuck to the game plan and the ball went wide to cult hero Darren Griffen who showed he hasn't lost any pace by scoring a great try before coming off injured. The try was not converted but Eden were back in the lead 20-16.
Pambula went very close in the next set with a player held up over the line. A moment of humorous entertainment also touched the big crowd when a kangaroo decided to join in the match and showing very good speed before escaping back into the bush. . The warm conditions took their toll on the players with many players going down with cramps in the last 15 minutes .A final try to Eden's speed machine Tom Bell brought the final score to Eden 26 Pambula 16.
Overall a satisfactory start to the season for the Tigers. The senior players did a good job controlling the tempo of the game, while the younger players all gave their all. For Eden Michelin, Smith, McBain and Dylan Wheeler were outstanding. Wade Edmed also put in a huge effort and will only get better with improved match fitness. Greg Nicholson was also in the thick of things and Alan Aldridge showed glimpses of real class cracking the defence regularly. Youngsters Fletcher, Evelyn, Jay Tinson, Aaron Aldridge and Chris Challinor gave their all.
The Tigers have a huge game next weekend when we take on the Bega Roosters at George Brown Oval on Sunday in a replay of last year's Grand Final.