IT may not have been spectacular, but Easts Tigers secured a valuable two competition points in their 22-10 victory over Redcliffe Dolphins on Sunday.
Under some inclement skies at Langlands Park, the Tigers toughed it out in a forward-dominated battle.
Leading 16-0 and seemingly on top following a solo-effort from Grant Giess at the beginning of the second half Easts were forced to repel a Redcliffe resurgence.
A brace of tries to stocky winger Aaron Whitchurch on the right-hand flank saw the visitors reduce the deficit to just six points.
But the Tigers rebounded, striking the crucial blow in the 66th minute when second-rower Kenny Bromwich burrowed over close to the line.
The win sees the Tigers rise to seventh on the ladder, just two points shy of the top five.
We werent going to blow anyone away today, especially a club the calibre of Redcliffe, coach Craig Ingebrigtsen said after the match.
Their pack is one of the best in the competition with guys like (Petero) Civoniceva and (Nick) Slyney I thought we handled them well today.
That was our goal, to go with them through the middle. Im really proud of our effort, defensively we were really good."
Skipper Steven Thorpe led the way at prop but the unquestionable standout was 25-year old hooker Tom Butterfield.
The Papua New Guinea-born Butterfield was tireless in defence and played the full 80 minutes against his former team.
I spoke to him and the team prior to the match about the contribution hes made to our club, Ingebrigtsen said.
He travels from Redcliffe to get here and hes never late for training and is always on song with everything. He never misses a beat.
The Tigers opened the scoring when a creative backline movement saw Shane Neumann find space for a 6-nil advantage.
The only other points of the first forty came on the stroke of halftime thanks to a flying Maeli Seve, who finished with pizzazz in the corner.
Easts struck first blood after the break via Giess before a determined Bromwich sealed victory.
After also tasting success in their round two encounter, it is the first time Easts have beaten Redcliffe twice in a season since 2004.
The in-form Tigers will be looking to string three wins together for the first time this season when they meet Norths at Bishop Park on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Redcliffe face the second-placed Wynnum Manly at Dolphin Oval.
EASTS TIGERS 22 (Maeli Seve, Shane Neumann, Grant Giess, Kenny Bromwich tries; Cody Walker 3 goals) def REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 10 (Aaron Whitchurch 2 tries; Liam Georgetown goal) at Langlands Park.
Under some inclement skies at Langlands Park, the Tigers toughed it out in a forward-dominated battle.
Leading 16-0 and seemingly on top following a solo-effort from Grant Giess at the beginning of the second half Easts were forced to repel a Redcliffe resurgence.
A brace of tries to stocky winger Aaron Whitchurch on the right-hand flank saw the visitors reduce the deficit to just six points.
But the Tigers rebounded, striking the crucial blow in the 66th minute when second-rower Kenny Bromwich burrowed over close to the line.
The win sees the Tigers rise to seventh on the ladder, just two points shy of the top five.
We werent going to blow anyone away today, especially a club the calibre of Redcliffe, coach Craig Ingebrigtsen said after the match.
Their pack is one of the best in the competition with guys like (Petero) Civoniceva and (Nick) Slyney I thought we handled them well today.
That was our goal, to go with them through the middle. Im really proud of our effort, defensively we were really good."
Skipper Steven Thorpe led the way at prop but the unquestionable standout was 25-year old hooker Tom Butterfield.
The Papua New Guinea-born Butterfield was tireless in defence and played the full 80 minutes against his former team.
I spoke to him and the team prior to the match about the contribution hes made to our club, Ingebrigtsen said.
He travels from Redcliffe to get here and hes never late for training and is always on song with everything. He never misses a beat.
The Tigers opened the scoring when a creative backline movement saw Shane Neumann find space for a 6-nil advantage.
The only other points of the first forty came on the stroke of halftime thanks to a flying Maeli Seve, who finished with pizzazz in the corner.
Easts struck first blood after the break via Giess before a determined Bromwich sealed victory.
After also tasting success in their round two encounter, it is the first time Easts have beaten Redcliffe twice in a season since 2004.
The in-form Tigers will be looking to string three wins together for the first time this season when they meet Norths at Bishop Park on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Redcliffe face the second-placed Wynnum Manly at Dolphin Oval.
EASTS TIGERS 22 (Maeli Seve, Shane Neumann, Grant Giess, Kenny Bromwich tries; Cody Walker 3 goals) def REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 10 (Aaron Whitchurch 2 tries; Liam Georgetown goal) at Langlands Park.
