The majority of Beenleigh Seniors supporters would be pleasantly surprised at how well both of their Opens sides are travelling, and the Open 2 side are the ones can be proud of their gutsy effort against Carina Tigers on Saturday.
Hooker Scott Friedrichs and five-eighth James Russell were in instrumental in their sides 22-4 win that saw both players produce a near faultless display at Leo Williamson Oval.
A cracking start to the game came courtesy of Beenleigh winger Grant Bradley who scored the try of the game in the 12th minute after the Tigers relinquished a golden opportunity right on the Beenleigh tryline with a dropped ball.
Bradley scooped up the ball from 10m out and raced away down the sideline for a try that was breathtaking to watch. With Russell adding the sideline conversion, the visitors were certainly in a try scoring mood.
Beenleigh’s William Levu and Saega Malisi were making great yardage up the middle and a culmination of Friedrichs quick passes out of dummy half and a great cut out ball from pivot Russell saw winger Bradley go in again for the second of his tries of the afternoon.
Carina were trying hard to contain the big bigger Beenleigh pack through Glen Jones and Anthony Hicks, however the exceptional kicking game of Russell ensured his side played most of the first stanza in the Tigers half.
Tigers coach Bobby Scurfield must have read the riot act to his players at halftime, as the second half got under way with the home side looking like they had now awoken from their slumber.
Halfback Eric Blair was caught inches short of the line for the Tigers in the opening minutes, and iit took some clever work by hooker Beau Sadler to burrow his way over for the Tigers first try.
However for toughness up the middle, Beenleigh were killing it. Levu and second Rower Jason Ioane had the visitors inside the Tigers 10m line after the pair had caused mayhem in the ensuing tackles.
Ioane on the last tackle took a brilliant pass from Russell to power his way over beside the sticks for a well-earned four-pointer.
As the Tigers looked down and out, Beenleigh would go over again in the dying minutes to sound out a formidable win to show how well the side has prepared in the off season.
Final score: Beenleigh Seniors 22 Easts Carina 4
