A second half master class from The Oaks captain coach Mitchell Brasington helped his side to a vital 30-26 win over Mittagong on Sunday afternoon, reports MIKE SHEAN, of Macarthur Sports Radio.
Brasington kicked brilliantly and scored a second half double to help turn an 8-point halftime deficit to a 4 point win which keeps the Tigers in second place on the Group 6 Rugby League ladder with three weeks to go.
The game was played at a finals level frenetic pace, and it was Mittagong who drew first blood after just four minutes when winger Geoff McKeown scored a try for the Lions.
When Tim Townsend scored after nine minutes to give Mittagong a 10-0 lead it looked as though the Lions’ premiership prospects would get a boost.
However, the Tigers’ weren’t prepared to roll over, with centre Michael Brasington scoring the first of their tries on 14 minutes.
Townsend’s second on 23 minutes restored the visitors’ lead to 10, as they led 16-6 and appeared to be in control of the match.
Christian Nahlous scored a vital try five minutes before halftime, as the Tigers kept clawing their way back into the game.
But as soon as they trailed 16-12, Mittagong replied, with Blake Jeffrey adding his name to the scoring list.
At halftime, Mittagong led 20-12, but knew the Tigers were ready to charge back into the game.
This charge began immediately after the break, with young winger Zac Byles scoring his first try of the day, reducing the margin to just 2 points, as Mittagong led 20-18.
There was a period where neither side was able to take control of the match, but this is where Mitchell Brasington stood up and dominated the play, ensuring the Tigers would walk away with the two points.
He scored a double in even time, when he crossed just before and on the hour mark, turning a two-point deficit for his side into a 10-point lead, when he added 12 points to the team’s tally.
His kicking throughout the afternoon was excellent, often placing kicks high into the swirling and difficult wind, making life hard for the Mittagong back three, with several errors resulting from his kicks.
The Tigers were able to hold on to their lead, although the Lions kept fighting, with a try to PJ Thornton with 8 minutes left making a nervous finish for both sides, as the Tigers led 30-26.
The Oaks’ defence was strong enough to hold on, despite several late raids from the visitors, and the Tigers came away with a much-needed win against good quality opposition.
RESULTS – FIRST GRADE
Moss Vale Dragons 16 Narellan Jets 40;
The Oaks Tigers 30 Mittagong Lions 26;
Camden Rams 32 Campbelltown City 24.
Picton and Thirlmere – Bye.
LADDER
Picton 26; The Oaks 23; Camden, Thirlmere 21; Mittagong 18; Narellan 16; Campbelltown City 12; Moss Vale 9.
RESERVE GRADE
Appin 28 Narellan 6;
Oran Park 40 Thirlmere 16;
The Oaks 18 Mittagong 20;
Camden 46 Campbelltown City 16;
Picton 20 Oakdale 0.
UNDER 18
Camden 6 Campbelltown City 28;
Moss Vale 12 Narellan 44;
Picton 34 Mt Annan Oakdale 22;
Warragamba 46 Thirlmere 24.
LEAGUE TAG
City Gold 0 Narellan 13;
Oran Park 8 Thirlmere 22;
Camden 4 City Blue 8;
The Oaks 10 Mittagong 0;
Picton 22 Oakdale 0.
SECOND DIVISION
Bowral Blues 10 Campbelltown City 8;
Bundanoon Highlanders 24 Narellan Jets 34;
Warragamba Wombats 36 Thirlmere Roosters 4.
NEXT WEEK – ROUND 16 FIRST GRADE
The Oaks v Campbelltown City;
Mittagong v Thirlmere;
Narellan v Picton
(Sunday, 2.30pm).
