Tigers tear strips off in record over Pride
THE Pride’s worst first half in two seasons has paved the way for the club’s equal-worst loss to Easts but coach Ty Williams says an improved second half is a positive sign they can turn things around.
The Tigers put on five tries in the opening stanza of the Intrust Super Cup clash at Langlands Park yesterday afternoon, their defence unable to withstand any pressure from the home side.
Despite trailing 30-6 at the break, the Pride returned to the park with a new-found intent and scored a through Khan Ahwang — his second of the match — in the 59th minute to give their fans hope.
The final score of 42-12 was the same scoreline between the two teams in Round 14, 2009.
Williams said his side failed to adapt to the tempo of the game in the first half but still believed a comeback was possible despite the points deficit.
“We were under the pump from early on in the game. I think they completed everything bar one set in the first half and we were just chasing our tails after that,” he said.
“We just didn’t have the football in the first half.
“We were always confident (of a comeback), but just didn’t complete after points.
“I just think it’s individual stuff we’re letting ourselves down in. When we play to our structures, Khan scores a double off it.”
While it was of little consequence to the final result, the Pride were left fuming over a contentious penalty try call against Jared Allen in the 23rd minute.
Tigers fullback Gerard McCallum was winning the race to a ball rolling end-overend and got his hand to it despite an unkind bounce over his head.
Allen then tackled his opponent before he could regain possession and video referee Clayton Sharpe decided he had unfairly taken McCallum out, directing the on-field referee to award a penalty try. “I’m filthy on it,” Williams said.
“I didn’t think it was a try. What, do they expect Jared to just disappear? He (McCallum) touched the ball and after that I thought it was fair game.
“I’d like to know the explanation for that because it was massive in the context of the game.”
Williams said that didn’t explain the rest of the match, pointing the finger at lack of ball control in contact and said individuals had to learn to adapt to each circumstance or risk falling behind the competition.
The Pride take on defending premiers Burleigh Bears, who are winless after their opening four matches, at Barlow Park on Saturday night. SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 34 (Guy Hamilton 2, Matthew Grieve, Samuel Wright, Dane Hogan, Matthew Soper-Lawler tries; Guy Hamilton 5 goals) d IPSWICH JETS 4 (Matthew Gibuma try) at North Ipswich Reserve. SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 19 (Luke Archer 2, Daniel Tamou tries; Jamayne Isaako 3 goals; Samuel Scarlett field goal) d BURLEIGH BEARS 18 (Sami Sauiluma 2, Henare Wells tries; Keanu Te Kiri 3 goals) with at Pizzey Park. CQ CAPRAS 30 (Tony Tumusa, Gavin Hiscox, Jack Kavanagh, Maipele Morseau, Ayden Cooper tries; Tony Tumusa 5 goals) d TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS 16 (Brayden McGrady 2, Samuel Meskell tries; Michael Burgess 2 goals) at Cbus Stadium, Robina. MACKAY CUTTERS 22 (Braden Uele 2, Jordan Pereira, Yamba Bowie tries; Nicholas Hynes 3 goals) d WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 18 (Jack Goodsell, Mitchell Buckett, Travis Burns, Mitchell Cronin tries; Travis Burns goal) at BMD Kougari Oval. REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 18 (Troy Giess, Joshua Beehag, Tyson Gamble tries; Joshua Beehag 3 goals) d TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS 6 (Michael Parker-Walshe tries; Carlin Anderson goal) at Dolphin Oval. Sunday 26 March EASTS TIGERS 42 (Gerard McCallum 2 tries and penalty try, Dean Britt, Matt Zgrajewski, Conor Carey, Brodie Croft tries; Billy Walters 7 goals) d NORTHERN PRIDE 12 (Khan Ahwang 2 tries; Khan Ahwang 2 goals) at Suzuki Stadium, Langlands Park. NORTHS DEVILS 32 (Matiu Love-Henry, Javarn White, Dalton Phillips, Delouise Hoeter tries; Todd Murphy 8 goals) d PNG HUNTERS 18 (Bland Abavu 2, Ase Boas tries; Ase Boas 3 goals) at National Football Stadium, Port Moresby. Saturday 3.30pm: Norths Devils v CQ Capras at Bishop Park 4pm: Townsville Blackhawks v Easts Tigers at Jack Manski Oval 4.30pm: Sunshine Coast Falcons v Wynnum Manly Seagulls at Sunshine Coast Stadium 5.30pm: Northern Pride v Burleigh Bears at Barlow Park 6.05pm: Mackay Cutters v PNG Hunters at BB Print Stadium, Mackay Sunday 1.40pm: Redcliffe Dolphins v Ipswich Jets at Dolphin Oval (Channel 9) 2pm: Tweed Heads Seagulls v Souths Logan Magpies at Piggabeen Sports Complex