Steadfast Tigers run down Tiwi

A SUPERB fourth quarter from Nightcliff saw them come from behind to start the season with two straight wins after downing Tiwi Bombers yesterday at REC Oval.

Leading into the final term, the Bombers looked to have control of the game and at one stage had a five-goal lead.

However, the Tigers’ never say die attitude saw them come back and post a four-goal win.

The opening quarter was a tight affair with the scores locked at the first change. The Bombers skipped out to a twogoal lead early in the second term, but Nightcliff stuck with Tiwi to be only four points down at halftime.

Lion-hearted ruckman Seb Guilhaus was strong for Nightcliff early, with Alastair Darcy one of the Bombers’ best with two goals.

Both sides traded goals early in the third term before Tiwi jumped ahead.

They kicked five out of the first six third-quarter majors to take control of the match, with Nightcliff unable to halt the Bombers free flowing attack.

But Nightcliff stuck to their guns and came back to be within a kick of the lead with 10 minutes remaining, with Kyle Emery finding his range in front of goal.

They kicked another four goals before the final siren.

Nightcliff coach Troy Coates was thrilled with his team’s response.

“We want to be a team that’s really respected in the competition and be a team that doesn’t lie down,” he said.

“At halftime and even at three-quarter time, we focused on everyone having a man and I think our fitness probably showed in that last quarter.”

Bombers coach Wayne Worden was disappointed with how his team let victory slip.

“I can honestly say we lost the game – credit to Nightcliff, they kept coming but we just stopped, which is really unusual,” he said.

“Last week we came home strong and this week we died off. We have a bit of work to do, the boys know that.

“I think it’s got a lot to do with mental toughness.” TIWI BOMBERS V NIGHTCLIFF 3.4 7.7 13.11 14.12 3.5 6.9 11.13 17.18 GOALS