Sunday afternoon at 2pm saw the Canowindra Tigers take on Burrangong at Tom Clyburn Oval in what was a crucial match for the Tigers top four aspirations.
Once again it was a makeshift Tigers side that took the field, still missing four regulars from the starting side and Wayne Rue a late withdrawal due to a foot injury.
As has been the case recently it was a poor start to the game by the Tigers and that is something that the team will need to address if they are to be a genuine threat for the premiership.
Burrangong on the other hand had started strongly and with the Tigers defensive effort almost non-existent it was the visitors who opened the scoring. With the Tigers defensive line having to scramble and the bigger Burrangong forwards providing some good second phase play, things did not look good for the Tigers early.
Following their initial onslaught the big Burrangong pack started to tire and soon after Rob Burn took advantage of some lax defence to post the Tigers first try, Rob’s conversion was successful for a 6 all score line. Burrangong however, refused to give up and soon after crossed for two more tries, one of which was converted for a 16 – 6 lead to the visitors.
With the Tigers mistake count increasing by the minute it took some good dummy half running by Michael Dixon and strong charges from Phil Kelly and Wayne McFawn to enable Sam O’Malveney to cross for a try. Rob Burn’s conversion attempt was successful.
The half time score line of 16 – 12 flattered the Tigers. After regrouping it was a more accomplished and committed Tigers side that started the second half strongly.
With the Tigers defensive linchpins of Corey Parrish and Snow Jones really starting to dominate the bigger Burrangong pack the Tigers posted two tries to Rob Burn in quick succession. Rob’s conversion attempts were both successful for a 24 – 16 lead to the Tigers.
The Tigers started to make ground at will through the ruck and it wasn’t long before Damian Kennedy sliced through the Burrangong defence beating players at will before scoring under the posts. Rob Burn’s conversion attempt was successful making the score 30 – 16.
Burrangong, however refused to give in and aided my some simple errors from the Tigers, crossed for a converted try to make the score 30 – 22. Once again it was the work of the front rowers Phil Kelly and Wayne McFawn that got the Tigers back on the front foot. This enabled the backs to apply the pressure and it was Michael Knight who finished off a good movement to race 30 metres and score in the corner. Rob Burns’s conversion attempt from the sideline was successful. The final score of 36 – 22 flattered the Tigers who played probably 20 minutes of good football, however it was enough to win on the day.
Best for the Tigers were Damian Kennedy, Wayne McFawn and Rob Burn. Rob also was voted players player for the second week in a row. Special mentions to Craig Carpenter who started on the wing but ended up filling three or four positions in a more than competent display and Nathan Smith who came off the bench to tackle anything in a Burrangong jumper that moved. Nathan’s performance was outstanding and could see a permanent move to the forwards.
The Tigers now have the bye this weekend before making the long road trip to Trundle.
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