Tathra tame the Tigers
Eden 10 Tathra 18

April 28th 2013 by Dave Evelyn

The Great Southern Inn Eden Tigers' season got off to a disappointing start at George Brown Oval last Sunday when they squandered a solid half time lead and watched the visitors storm home with four unanswered second half tries to snatch a upset 18-10 victory.

Both sides started solidly, and Eden 's Joe Stewart crossed for the first try after 10 minutes. Ian Smith's conversion gave the Tigers an early 6-0 lead. The arm wrestle continued for most of the half, although the Eden side appeared to be pretty much in control despite being unable to convert chances into points. Eden received back to back penalties and almost inevitably Matt Evelyn wrong footed the defence and darted over for an unconverted try to give the Tigers a 10-0 lead which they maintained until half time. All the Eden forwards worked hard, however handling errors at crucial times cost the home side.

Dylan Wheeler crosses for a try only to be called back. The decision was a pivotal moment in the game

Captain Coach Nicholson was fairly pleased with his charges first half effort, and urged the team to continue their good defence in the second half. An Eden turnover early in the second half followed by a Tathra penalty allowed the Sea Eagles to open their account with an unconverted try. That was followed almost straight away by a penalty to Tathra for a poor play the ball which led to their second try, also unconverted, which brought the score to 10-8. Eden blew a couple of opportunities down at the Tathra end before a Tathra penalty, an Eden turnover and Eagles fullback Josh Finnucane sliced through the defence to put the visitors in the lead. Another Tathra penalty followed by an Eden turnover saw the Tathra side score again, this time from dummy half, to bring the scoring to a finish with the Sea Eagles running out 18-10 winners.

This was a match that Eden should have won. The Tigers had the game by the scruff of the neck at half time and a combination of poor execution and a lack of intensity saw Eden drop a valuable two competition points in what is destined to be a very close competition. In other results Bega defeated Premiers Narooma while Cobargo had a hard fought win over the Pambula Merimbula Bulldogs.

The Tigers travel to Cobargo next Sunday.

Tigger