The Easts Tigers have maintained third position on the Intrust Super Cup ladder following a gritty 27-12 victory over local rivals Wynnum Manly on Sunday.
While the traditional bay-side derby wasnt exactly champagne rugby league, no one could doubt the commitment of either side with both battling to secure a spot in the top five.
Ahead 12-6 at the break, Easts upped the intensity and posted back-to-back tries to open up an ultimately insurmountable 26-6 lead.
Not afraid to take the two when on offer five-eighth Cody Walker booted three second half penalty goals the Tigers made the most of their opportunities.
Head coach Craig Ingebrigtsen praised his teams courage during the crucial moments.
The way we kept turning up for each other in defence and when carrying the ball thats what impressed me the most, he said after the match.
I was really happy with our efficiency, we completed at 82% today.
Ingebrigtsen admitted his sides preparation was far from ideal, with Melbourne Storm contracted prop Mitch Garbutt and injured fullback Eddie Tautali withdrawing during the week.
However, in the absence of Tautali, FOGS Cup custodian Jack Joass stepped up into the number one jersey and didnt put a foot wrong.
The 21-year-old Easts Mt Gravatt junior was as safe as a house under the high ball and finished with two tries on the back of some incisive footwork.
Jacks only played a couple of games of Cup and we set some challenges for him but he really responded he was outstanding, Ingebrigtsen said.
Just to win here (at BMD Kougari Oval) against a few odds, Im really proud of the team.
Wynnum Manly looked ominous early when Ben Shea strolled through the line but the Tigers grabbed first points via prop Liam McDonald, who crashed over in the 21st minute.
Joass then put his stamp on the game when he surged over to give Easts a 12-nil lead.
But the Seagulls hit back when centre Jason Moon found open space to reduce the deficit to 12-6 at halftime.
A Dane Hogan break then set up hooker Tom Butterfield under the sticks just after the break and Joass put the game beyond reach for Wynnum Manly with a stepping run in the 67th minute.
A late try to skipper Dalziel-Don gave the Chook Pen something to cheer about before Walker slotted a field goal on the fulltime siren
The loss sees Wynnum Manly drop to fifth on the ladder ahead of their clash with Sunshine Coast next Saturday. The Tigers next opponent is the first-placed Northern Pride at Barlow Park.
EASTS TIGERS 27 (Jack Joass 2, Tom Butterfield, Liam McDonald tries; Cody Walker 5 goals; Cody Walker field goal) def WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 12 (Jason Moon, Luke Dalziel-Don tries; Matt Seamark 2 goals) at BMD Kougari Oval.
While the traditional bay-side derby wasnt exactly champagne rugby league, no one could doubt the commitment of either side with both battling to secure a spot in the top five.
Ahead 12-6 at the break, Easts upped the intensity and posted back-to-back tries to open up an ultimately insurmountable 26-6 lead.
Not afraid to take the two when on offer five-eighth Cody Walker booted three second half penalty goals the Tigers made the most of their opportunities.
Head coach Craig Ingebrigtsen praised his teams courage during the crucial moments.
The way we kept turning up for each other in defence and when carrying the ball thats what impressed me the most, he said after the match.
I was really happy with our efficiency, we completed at 82% today.
Ingebrigtsen admitted his sides preparation was far from ideal, with Melbourne Storm contracted prop Mitch Garbutt and injured fullback Eddie Tautali withdrawing during the week.
However, in the absence of Tautali, FOGS Cup custodian Jack Joass stepped up into the number one jersey and didnt put a foot wrong.
The 21-year-old Easts Mt Gravatt junior was as safe as a house under the high ball and finished with two tries on the back of some incisive footwork.
Jacks only played a couple of games of Cup and we set some challenges for him but he really responded he was outstanding, Ingebrigtsen said.
Just to win here (at BMD Kougari Oval) against a few odds, Im really proud of the team.
Wynnum Manly looked ominous early when Ben Shea strolled through the line but the Tigers grabbed first points via prop Liam McDonald, who crashed over in the 21st minute.
Joass then put his stamp on the game when he surged over to give Easts a 12-nil lead.
But the Seagulls hit back when centre Jason Moon found open space to reduce the deficit to 12-6 at halftime.
A Dane Hogan break then set up hooker Tom Butterfield under the sticks just after the break and Joass put the game beyond reach for Wynnum Manly with a stepping run in the 67th minute.
A late try to skipper Dalziel-Don gave the Chook Pen something to cheer about before Walker slotted a field goal on the fulltime siren
The loss sees Wynnum Manly drop to fifth on the ladder ahead of their clash with Sunshine Coast next Saturday. The Tigers next opponent is the first-placed Northern Pride at Barlow Park.
EASTS TIGERS 27 (Jack Joass 2, Tom Butterfield, Liam McDonald tries; Cody Walker 5 goals; Cody Walker field goal) def WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 12 (Jason Moon, Luke Dalziel-Don tries; Matt Seamark 2 goals) at BMD Kougari Oval.
