Easts Tigers vs Gold Coast Breakers
Bottomely Park
Easts were heavily favoured to win this one, but with the loss of skipper Matt Brandon and winger Kieran Ross, there was a level of uncertainty about how the Tigers would perform against an always aggressive Gold Coast side. The opening exchanges were fairly physical, with Easts consistantly making big tackles and not allowing the Breakers across the advantage line. But in attack Easts failed to capatilze on their chances with David Skelton breaking the line twice before the play breaking down the next phase. Credit to the Breakers they managed to stiffle the Easts attack, but the home side was holding most of the possession through patient play and good build up from the forwards. For the second week in a row, 8 man Jarrad Buttler was immense in this work with the ball in hand and also the line out. Cox and Buatava traded penalites with the score 6-3 to Easts at half-time.
Buatava scored the Breakers last points after the interval. But from then on Easts dominated most aspects of the match, with Sam Cox directing the play. I will admit personally I had concerns how the Tigers would look in attack without star 10 Matt Brandon and rising Reds member UJ Seuteni, but Sam Cox was brilliant in all aspects of his game, threw some brilliant passes to his men out wide while also running, tackling and kicking well. One of his kicks to the corner allowed speedy winger Chris Mansell to place alot of pressure on Breakers fullback Langback, forcing him in goal. From the ensuing 5m scrum, the Tigers cleared the ball and a few phases later big centre Toby White crashed over.
As Easts continued to put pressure on the Breakers, their scrum continued to dominate. Young Bermingham and Parraka had a field day with the Gold Coast never seemingly moving forward at scrum time. Sam Cox added another penalty to make the score 14-6 nearing the end of the match.
Easts final score of the game came after persistant forward play from ball runners such as Buttler and Enever lead to the ever-present Dom Fuller to scoot through and put Parraka over in the corner. Final score 19-6
Solid performance from Easts, and credit to the Gold Coast who were persistant in defence. But Easts controlled most of the game, lead from strong performances from Sam Cox, David Skelton and Jarrad Buttler. But my personal MOM was fullback Johnny Wilder. He's played consistantly on the wing or at 15 over the past couple of seasons, and despite not having much meat on him, he is always a threat in attack. His kicking game and security under the high ball is also something to be applauded.
FInally, a word on the referee. I don't usually complain, but this ref was appalling. Free for all at the breakdown, and he missed many knock ons and forward passes. His ability as a ref was probably why the game was so stop start at some points. Would like to see him spend a few weeks as a touchie before getting another Premier gig.