Craig Cauchi reviews the Sunday afternoon clash between the Tigers and the Dragons.
MATCHDAY RESULTS
SCOREBOARD
Tigers 22
Tries: Fa’amanu Brown (21), Tom Freebairn 2 (24, 33), Jock Madden (65)
Goals: Adam Doueihi (23, 26, 66)
Dragons 24
Tries: Jaydn Su’A (5), Tautau Moga (43), Zac Lomax (61), Jackson Ford (75)
Goals: Zac Lomax (7, 62, 76, 79)
MATCH REPORT
Embed from Getty ImagesLast Sunday the Tigers woke up feeling deflated after having 72 points put on them by the Roosters. Fast forward a week later and they were set for a stunning turnaround victory against the Dragons only for a penalty in the final minute leading to a two point victory to the Dragons.
Jayden Su’A – in his 100th NRL game – scored the first try of the match within the first 5 minutes of play. It was a false dawn for the away team as their errors and poor discipline allowed the Tigers to dominate much of the first half. Youngster Tom Freebairn crossed for two tries and the Tigers looked a chance to open the match up on multiple occasions. The Tigers took a ten point lead into the break with their tries coming while the Dragons were down to 12 with both Cody Ramsey and Jack Bird sent to the sin bin.
Fortunes appeared to swap in the second half with the Tigers poor handling skills costing them dearly. The Dragons crossed early through Tautau Moga and enjoyed majority of the possession in the second half but failed to look threatening. They were finally able to level the scores through Zac Lomax but that didn’t last long when against the run of play, Jock Madden burst through the line to return the Tigers to the lead. The Tigers came up with a poor mistake while receiving a line drop out and the Dragons were on the attack again, this time scoring through Jackson Ford.
Zac Lomax was hit high from Asu Kepaoa in the final minutes of play. The centre converted the penalty goal to give the Dragons a less than convincing win and appearing to confirm the wooden spoon for the Tigers.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS
Embed from Getty Images3 pts – Jack Bird (Dragons), 2 pts – Jayden Su’A (Dragons), 1 pt – Jock Madden (Tigers)
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