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Reserves Gallant Again
Eden 22 Tathra 36
July 27th 2012 by Dave Evelyn
The Eden reserve grade side took on the Tathra side in what proved to be an entertaining match last Sunday in Tathra. Tathra began the match well after Eden allowed the kick off to go dead and the Eagles scored after three tackles when Jarrod Cole touched down. Arthur Coffee converted and the home side was playing from the front. The Eden side were on the back foot as first they were tackled in goal and then Tathra received a penalty. The Tigers defence was very strong with Captain Coach Corey Walker, Wade Irwin, Andrew Love and Jake Brumby featuring. Chris Challinor was looking ominous in attack every time he got the ball and he scored after some clever lead up work by Dan Bell, who was controlling the attack well. Eden were forced to do some serious defence and Nick Bowes showed how it was done with some grand tackling. Andrew Evelyn was also heavily involved. Eden's Dan Bell was next to score and his well deserved try put the Tigers in front 10-6. The lead was short lived as Shaun Piper scored after an Eden kick went out on the full to give Tathra the lead again. Eden crowd favourites Chris Chalker and Aaron Aldridge were working hard in attack and defence, but Tathra were next to score when half Matt Heffernan scored and Coffee converted from the sideline to extend the lead to 18-10.
The Eagles appeared to be getting on top of the Tigers, although fullback Billy Squires was stymieing their attacking effort with some good work at the back. Nick Bowes continued to show tenacity in defence with a couple of great hits. Tathra's Coffee was next to score, and his obvious class was causing the young Tigers problems in defence as the home side took a 24-10 lead at the break. In the second half both sides began solidly completing their sets, but after a penalty to Eden, Dan Bell crossed for his second of the match and Ben Brumby's conversion brought the score back to 24-16. The Tigers were not going to give up and Irvin, Evelyn and Elvis Tui were doing a lot of defensive work but after a kick was put to ground Tathra's Dan Hyland strolled through untouched to extend the lead to 30-16.
There is no doubt that this Eden side has some ticker, and a fair amount of skill as well, and this was displayed when Jake Brumby was rewarded for his very good game with a try after clever lead up work by Tui. The sides battled up and down the field with the Tigers knowing that if they could score next they would be within striking distance of an unlikely win. All the players lifted and Dennis Heasman continued his recent improved form with some inspired defence. Unfortunately Tathra finished off the scoring when Jason Gannon showed electrifying pace to score under the posts and Arthur Coffee capped off a very good personal performance by converting to bring the final score to 36-22.
The Tigers ressies are playing a good brand of football and while they are struggling for wins, they are doing their club proud with the effort, enthusiasm and enjoyment they are showing from week to week. The side has a bye next weekend.
Tigger