Triple treat for Tigers
September 13, 2010: In front of a 3000-strong crowd at Pizzey Park, Southport secured their third consecutive Gold Coast Rugby League premiership.
PROUD Tigers captaincoach John Flint yesterday praised the courage and determination of his troops after guiding Southport to their third consecutive Gold Coast Rugby League first grade premiership.
The Tigers didn’t just defeat Bilambil, they dictated terms in the season decider, powering their way to a history-making 18-6 victory in front of a 3000-strong crowd at Pizzey Park.
Supremely confident heading into the grand final, Flint credited the Tigers’ enthusiasm in defence for laying the foundation for the win.
“We pride ourselves on our defence and we just really dug deep,’’ said Flint. “We never took a backwards step.
“It was massive effort, all the boys lifted. I am so proud of the boys. It was do-or-die and we didn’t want to die today.’’
The Tigers drew first blood with a try to five-eighth Chris Thomas after just four minutes
JOHN FLINT
and had all the momentum before winger Scott Mulligan bagged the first of his two tries in the 25th minute.
Bilambil hit back against the run of play with a try to fullback Drew Lanston off a grubber kick to reel the deficit back to four points at the halftime break – 10-6.
But the second half played out much the same way as the first with Southport dominating possession and field position to shoot down the gritty Jets.
Once Mulligan crossed again in the 66th minute to stretch the margin to 16-6, the
Tigers’ lead was never seriously threatened.
Tigers back-rower Stacey Katu was named man of the match.
“`We tried to attack with our defence, which we did today,’’ said Katu. “It is good to be a part of and a good to be a part of the club.
“`It is great to get a threepeat. It hasn’t been done since the 1970s the guys were saying, so it is good to be a little part of history.’’
WE NEVER TOOK A BACKWARDS STEP.”