Tigers upset Bears in VB NSW Cup
Sunday, 14th September 2008
The Balmain Ryde Tigers spoilt the party for the North Sydney Bears on Saturday with a 31-18 VB NSW Cup finals win over the minor premiers.
Playing in their first home final in 10 years, the Bears were outmuscled by the eighth-placed Tigers despite running in two early tries to take a 10-nil lead.
Tigers fullback Reece Hanbury capped a starring performance when he slotted a field goal five minutes from full time to erase any chance of a late Bears comeback.
Hanbury proved the thorn in the Bears' side on several occasions, threatening the Bears' line throughout the match and kicking five out of six goals.
But it was the Balmain forwards which did the real damage, dominating the ruck throughout the match and setting a solid platform for the Tigers backs to run riot.
Second rower Yileen Gordon was the best of the beaten Bears, causing plenty of trouble on the fringes and bagging two tries for his efforts.
The Tigers will now take their stunning late season form into an elimination finals match against third-placed qualifier Manly, who on Saturday went down to a red-hot Western Suburbs side 38-24.
The Magpies' win earns keeps their season alive and will now see them take on the North Sydney Bears in Sunday's other VB NSW Cup elimination finals match, to be played at Campbelltown Stadium.
Meanwhile, waiting in the wings are Wentworthville and Newtown, who will enjoy a week off after ending Cronulla and Windsor's seasons respectively on Saturday.
Wentworthville racked up 46-16 scoreline against the brave Cobras, who came from nowhere to make this year's finals under the tutelage of Lance Thompson, while a star-studded Newtown side accounted for Windsor30-16.
Sunday's finals footy feast at Campbelltown Stadium will also feature a Jim Beam Cup finals match which sees Windsor face off against Mounties.
NEXT WEEKS MATCHES
VENUE: Campbelltown Stadium
DATE: Sunday, 21st September 2008.
JIM BEAM CUP
WINDSOR WOLVES Vs MOUNTIES
VB NSW CUP
(Q8) BALMAIN RYDE EASTWOOD TIGERS Vs (Q3) MANLY SEA EAGLES
VB NSW CUP
(Q6) WESTERN SUBURBS MAGPIES Vs (Q1) NORTH SYDNEY BEARS
Match times to be confirmed Monday 15th September, 2008.
