The Easts Tigers set up an all Melbourne Storm feeder club knockout final for next weekend with a second half comeback against the Townsville Blackhawks who defied recent form to push the Tigers all the way.
Townsville scored early, and Intrust Super Cup winger of the year Jonathon Reuben added two more tries before half time to see the Blackhawks leading 16-0 at the break.
Unlike the other game of the weekend where the Falcons were up 16-0 at half time, Townsville weren’t able to hold on. Tries to Jarrod McInally and Billy Walters got the Tigers within eight points halfway through the second half, and two tries in the last ten minutes saw the come back completed.
Brodie Croft was injured in the game, and that could be a big loss for the Tigers.
RESULT
EASTS TIGERS 20
Tries: Jarrod McInally (47m), Billy Walters (62m), Jack Svendsen (72m), Tommy Butterfield (76m)
Goals: Billy Walters 2/4 Conv
TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS 16
Tries: Paul Byrnes (3m), Jonathon Reuben (19m), Jonathon Reuben (39m)
Goals: Kyle Laybutt 2/3 Conv
Half Time: Townsville Blackhawks 16 Easts Tigers 0