THE Easts Tigers have claimed back-to-back FOGS Cup premierships following a dominant display against a spirited Ipswich Jets in today's grand final at the North Ipswich Reserve.
It was always going to be a tough ask for the Jets to upset the minor premiers but they put in a good show early in both halves, before the weight of defending took its toll as the Tigers finished strong to win 40-18.
The Tigers were made to work hard for their points in the first half where some good goal-line defence kept out their advances.
The finally they broke through with 17 to go in the half with Wiremu Ratana freeing his arm to plant the ball over the line, right underneath the posts with Liam Tyson kicking the conversion.
The Tigers went on a roll and were in again in the right corner and scored two more tries to see the score blow out to 22-0 at halftime.
Easts were in complete control in the half and the break could not have come at a better time for the home side.
The Jets started the second half well and were awarded three straight penalties which they capitalised on.
Michael Fisher scored a good hookers try, darting over from dummy half.
The try was converted by Khan Ahwang to close the gap to 16 points with 29 to go.
Buoyed by their try, they were in again soon after when a chip ahead from Ahwang was collected by his team-mate who passed it back to the fullback who ran in to score under the posts.
The score were now 22-12 with the Jets gaining some momentum, however it was shot down soon after when Tigers backrower Luke Lavelle got the Tigers back on the board after centre Jacob Paul made a cracking run downfield before passing back to his supporting player.
Tempers flared in the heat as both teams aimed up hard in defence. The Tigers lost both their halves to the sin bin while the Jets lost a prop in separate incidents.
However, that didnt stop Easts from continuing to score points; with the pre-match favourites scoring three more tries in the half, including one to hooker Geoff Holcombe just before the siren sounded.
EASTS TIGERS 40 (Corbin Kiernan 2, Ryan Pooley, Liam Tyson, Geoff Holcombe, Liufau Hala, Luke Lavelle, Wiremu Ratana tries; Liam Tyson 4 goals) def IPSWICH JETS 18 (Khan Ahwang, Michael Fisher, Josh Seage tries; Khan Ahwang 3 goals) at North Ipswich Reserve.
Man of the Match: Liam Tyson (Easts Tigers)
Halftime Score: Easts Tigers 22 Ipswich Jets 0
