The Oaks Tigers have secured a finals berth with a 46-18 win over Campbelltown City on Sunday afternoon.
The Kangaroos hosted their match at Campbelltown Stadium, or Orana Park as it’s known to those old enough to enjoy Old Boys day, but it wasn’t a successful afternoon for the home side in first grade, reports MIKE SHEAN.
But while the Kangaroos will now look ahead to the 2017 season for first grade honours, its reserve grade and Ladies League tag sides will be in the thick of the action when the finals get under way the following week.
Reserve grade yesterday defeated The Oaks 32-16 and are third on the ladder.
In League Tag, the Kangaroos ladies team also downed The Oaks, 18-6 and are equal second on the ladder.
But in first grade the Tigers cruised to an easy victory, even though Campbelltown City opened the scoring through Jhy Karam eight minutes into the match.
Tigers’ prop Ross Brown crashed over from close range after 13 minutes as the visitors slowly started to gain control of the match.
Brown and fellow prop James Kovac caused nightmares for the City defence throughout the afternoon.
Both made easy metres with every hit up.
Kyle Bell scored a solo try after 17 minutes, and from that point, the Tigers were never headed.
Kovac scored a similar try to Brown on 22 minutes, crashing over from close range, and was too powerful from only metres out to cross and extend the lead for the Tigers.
Bell, who was among the better players for The Oaks, scored a nice 40 metre solo try 10 minutes before halftime, giving the visitors a 24-6 lead.
City improved the scoreline to 24-12 at the break, thanks to a try from Grant Syron, but faced a tough task overhauling the Tigers in the second half.
The Tigers did struggle when Brown and Kovac were taken off the field, and coach Mitchell Brasington will be looking at his forward rotation ahead of the finals, which begin later this month.
The Oaks scored second half tries through Hamish Oxley, Michael Brasington, Russell Odgers and Rohan Ellis-Bostock, while City only managed one try, which came inside the last 10 minutes of the game when the result was beyond doubt.
Tigers’ coach Mitchell Brasington, who is due back from injury with his halves partner and brother Matthew for the finals, would have been pleased with the result and the effort from his side.
But his side will need to improve significantly to make an impression in the finals.
The improvement must begin next Sunday when they travel to Thirlmere to take on the Roosters.
RESULTS: FIRST GRADE:
Campbelltown City 18 The Oaks Tigers 46;
Camden Rams 54 Oakdale Workers 14.
RESERVE GRADE:
Campbelltown City 32 The Oaks 16;
Camden 44 Oakdale 6.
UNDER 18:
Camden Rams 42 Appin Dogs 6.
LEAGUE TAG:
Campbelltown City 18 The Oaks 6;
Moss Vale Dragons 0 Thirlmere Roosters 44.
SECOND DIVISION:
Appin Dogs 19 Warragamba Wombats 0;
Moss Vale Dragons 24 Picton Magpies 4;
Mt Annan Knights 18 Robertson Spuddies 38;
Bargo Bunnies 18 Narellan Jets 36.
NEXT WEEK (2.30pm Sunday):
The Oaks vs Thirlmere;
Mittagong vs Camden;
Oakdale vs Narellan;
Picton vs Campbelltown City.
♦ The Oaks v Thirlmere will be the Group 6 League Live broadcast match from 2pm. Click here to listen to the boys.
