Eden Tigers First grade (28) defeated by Bega (30)
The reigning premiers travelled to Bega on Sunday looking to consolidate their recent good form and move a step closer to the top of the table.
The fired up Bega Roosters gave them a hot reception as the game opened, with both sides getting to their kicks until Bega received the first penalty for a strip.
Heavy defence by Tsi Tui and Rob Horton was an early highlight.
Bega were first on the board when Michael Edmonds scored after Eden dropped the ball on the first tackle.
Bega received another penalty soon after for a high shot and put Eden under pressure, however a strong tackle by captain coach Mick Geerke jolted the ball loose, and when Eden received a penalty and Todd Bolton gained 50 metres with his touch finder, Eden were back on the attack.
Successive penalties put the Roosters back on the attack and with a mountain of possession the Tigers’ intensity in attack appeared to be waning.
When Eden received the next penalty and went on an attacking raid the scores were soon levelled when Scott Jackson scored a trademark try from dummy half.
Bega struck back immediately when Eden dropped the ball on the second tackle and Dayne Burton scored a try that was converted.
Play then settled down and both sides completed several sets and got their kicks in.
The turning point came when Eden received a penalty, moved play downfield and Brad Chatfield charged over to get the Tigers back in striking distance.
In very short time the determined Roosters struck back again with pacey winger Craig Dunham scorching downfield for a 90 meter try which took the Roosters well into a lead.
Just before half time a clever kick through by Jackson found the ever present Chatfield and he scored his second to see the players in the sheds with Bega leading by two points.
The second half began with scrappy play from both sides attempting to push passes and losing possession before a couple of penalties to Eden put them on the attack and Chatfield brought up his hat trick after some deft backline movement.
Bolton’s sideline conversion put Eden ahead and when Chatfield had crossed for his fourth try out wide which was again converted with a beautiful kick from Bolton it looked like the Tigers might get away with the two points, but Bega had other ideas.
In a very sloppy period of play there were eight separate possessions in which Bega received three penalties and Eden one, and the ball was turned over within two tackles by both sides before Bega was awarded a scrum feed for a bad play of the ball by Eden and duly scored a converted try.
As the clock ticked down the players on both sides lifted for a final effort.
With less than a minute remaining a desperate Bega backline put on a dazzling last ditch move that took play deep into the Eden half.
Last gasp defence held the Roosters at bay until they received a penalty for offside play as the final siren went.
From the penalty Bega slipped a grubber kick through the defence from short range which was pounced on by Simon Scott.
The conversion gave the Roosters a plucky victory in a highly entertaining match.
For Eden Horton and Tui were outstanding, while Geerke had his best game this season.
Chatfield’s four tries and outstanding general play saw him voted man of the match, and Bolton’s goal kicking was outstanding.
Email a friend
Favourites
Del.icio.us
Facebook
Digg
StumbleUpon
MySpace
Reddit
Newsvine
LinkedIn
Kwoff
Twitter