Easts Tigers recovered from a nervous start to overrun Mackay Cutters and book their place in the Intrust Super Cup finals at Suzuki Stadium, Langlands Park yesterday afternoon.
The Tigers gave up an early try and led by just two points 18-16 at halftime before a much-improved second half set up a 48-20 win.
Rising young star Brodie Croft scored his second double in as many weeks while fellow Storm signings Young Tonumaipea and Christian Welch were brilliant throughout for the home side.
“Welchy played 80 minutes in the front row on the weekend,” Easts coach Scott Sipple said.
“We lost a couple of players and he didn’t want to come off, even when we were up by 20 he wanted to stay out there so he was very good for us.
“Young is also starting to feel more comfortable at fullback there and he got our first try with a 90-metre solo break out of a scrum.”
The win saw Easts leapfrog Souths Logan Magpies into sixth spot on the ladder after they went down to Burleigh Bears at Pizzey Park.
That now sets up a quarterfinal clash against the Townsville Blackhawks this Sunday.
The match will be televised on Channel 9 with coverage to start from 1.30pm.
See the final team line-ups and full scoring details for this game via QRL Live
EASTS TIGERS 48 (Brodie Croft 2, Dane Hogan 2, Young Tonumaipe’a, Dean Britt, Adam Crear, Luke Lavelle tries; Billy Walters 8 goals) def MACKAY CUTTERS 20 (Johnny Faletagoa’i 2, Andrew Davey, Tautau Moga tries; Liam Taylor 2 goals) at Suzuki Stadium, Langlands Park.
