TIGERS SNEAK HOME
April 26, 2006
Section: Sport
Batemans Bay Tigers returned to the winners list on Saturday night when they managed to hold off a determined Shellharbour City Sharks in a thrilling encounter to win 23-22 at Mackay Park.
In a high quality match, the Tigers led 10-0 in the opening minutes and 16-6 at halftime before the Sharks hit back to level at 16 all and set up a nail-biting final 20 minutes.
The Bay side looked brilliant early and tries to lock Marcello Loustau and Dale Wright, after a brilliant chip and regather from five-eighth Aaron Brieley and a conversion to fullback Nathan Wood in the opening ten minutes to lead 10-0, but the Sharks hit back through winger Josh Champion and a sideline conversion by Matt Coelho. Prop Christian Laffin scored from close range close to halftime and Woods conversion gave them a 16-6 lead.
The game swung around immediately after halftime when the Sharks scored out wide through centre Jamie Manukonga and minutes later Nathan Cooper found a gap up the middle and Coelhos conversion gave the visitors a share of the lead at 16 all and spectators geared themselves for a tight finish.
The game then developed into a real arm-wrestle and a penalty goal to Wood with 15 minutes remaining edged the Tigers back to the front and with eight minutes remaining centre Adrian Neeves raced over out wide to give the Bay a six point 22-16 lead.
With time running out the Bay suffered a bad blow when workaholic lock John Ralston suffered a serious led injury, but only seconds later his brother and halfback Ben slotted a field-goal to give the home side a seven point lead.
But true to form the Sharks werent about to give up just yet and with 90 seconds remaining fullback Coelho dived over and converted, but it was a too little too late and the Bay held on for a 23-22 win.
Tigers captain-coach Mick Elliott had a superb game and was a popular choice as his sides best, and he had great support from Marchelo Loustau, Ben Ralston and Nathan Wood, while Jamie Manukonga, Mark Zwolsman and Gary Breakspear were best for the plucky Sharks.