IN a powerful showing, the Easts Tigers proved too strong for Tweed Heads Seagulls, running out convincing 40-18 victors in their FOGS Colts match at Kevin Bycroft field on Sunday morning.
Following a disappointing showing against Ipswich in round 3; Easts were keen to make amends and set the pace early with tries to outside backs Codey Kennedy and Michael Kai on the back of undisciplined play from the Seagulls.
The momentum soon swung to the Tweed however, with a clever try to winger Dylan Cartwright and another to fullback Steve Tolo after a series of offloads sending the Seagulls out to a surprise 12-8 advantage.
It would be the only time Tweed would lead during the match however, as further tries to Kai and Tigers five-eighth Jaiden Reynolds saw Easts ahead 20-12 at the break.
The second half proved to be mostly one way traffic after a fortunate try to Tigers winger Brandon Downey from a botched Easts touch finder and a disallowed try to the Seagulls for a double movement. These were quickly followed by further tries to Kai and Easts lock Tom Ingersole, effectively ending the contest before both sides crossed the stripe again in the dying minutes.
After the match Easts coach David Krause was eager to praise his teams renewed efforts.
We were disappointed with our performance last week, just far too soft up the middle, but to our credit, we were able to re-focus during the week and go back to the real basic stuff which worked for us today Krause said.
The strong showing was also reason for Krause to be optimistic about the quality of players coming through the Easts ranks.
Weve got a lot of quality in this side, a lot of Easts juniors and blokes of Holden Cup standard, and I can definitely see some of these boys going on to play in the Intrust Super Cup.
Although Krause was looking to the future, Seagulls coach Gavin Holmes was looking towards his sides re-match with the Tigers in a fortnight.
We looked really good in patches today, however when we had the opportunity to exert some pressure we came unstuck with a few errors which allowed Easts to get a roll on Holmes said.
Fortunately, we play them again in two weeks so well have a chance to redeem ourselves.
As for how his charges plan to beat the Tigers, Holmes was philosophical.
Theyre a big strong side Easts, and we need to make sure we get up and nullify their strike players. Its that simple, he said.
There were some good individual efforts out their today, our pom Adam Gledhill played the whole game and was fantastic again as was Jack Durheim; however well need the whole team to be on their game to challenge sides like Easts.
Both Easts and Tweed have a bye scheduled for round 5 this week.
EASTS TIGERS 40 (Michael Kai 3, Brandon Downey 2, Codey Kennedy, Jaiden Reynolds, Tom Ingersole tries; Brandon Downey 4 goals) def TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS 18 (Steve Tolo, Luke Baker, Marcus Roil tries; Tom Sunderland 2, Steve Tolo goals) at Bycroft Oval, Runaway Bay
