The Oaks Tigers produced the comeback of the season to pip Campbelltown City Kangaroos 27-26 on Saturday evening, reports MIKE SHEAN.
It could be called the Great Escape, or the one that got away, depending which way you look at the match, but the results will show the Tigers’ 27 unanswered points in the second half was the difference, along with a major attitude change which occurred at halftime.
The match started in City’s favour, with winger Steve Faoagali scoring after five minutes, to set the path for a Roos win away from home.
Josh Burke, who was among the best for City in the first half, scored two tries, including a nice solo run after 12 minutes, and another on the halftime siren, to extend the City lead to 26-0, and what appeared a certain win.
In between Burke’s double was a good try to centre Matt Waugh and another to opposite winger Dallas Greico, who, at 20-0 in favour of City, seemed to seal what appeared to be a comfortable win over The Oaks for Drew Dalton’s men.
With Burke’s second on the stroke of halftime, Tigers captain/coach Mitchell Brasington obviously had strong words at halftime to his charges, because a different black and gold side came out after the break.
Mitchell Richards opened the scoring three minutes after the break, but the intent was there early, with more structure and purpose in attack, which was evident in the lead up to the opening try.
Ten minutes later saw Mitchell Brasington score the first of three tries, and the Tigers seemed to be wresting some momentum back from the City side through better organisation in attack.
Brasington’s second gave Tigers’ fans some more hope, and with just under 20 minutes left, there was plenty of time left on the clock for the locals to see a remarkable comeback occur.
Kyle Bell scored a surprise try with 14 minutes left, running from dummy half, and apparently bamboozling the Campbelltown City defence to cruise through and make the score 26-22 in favour of the Roos.
Brasington’s third and final try of the night, with 6 minutes remaining, saw the scores level at 26-26, but the momentum, possession and territory was all in favour of the home side.
However, the result wasn’t settled until the final 90 seconds, when Brasington’s field goal attempt was blocked, but the ball fell to Bryce Hoskin, who calmly slotted the winning point.
Brasington knew after the game his side had escaped with the two points, and have plenty of work to do ahead of another vital meeting, this time with Thirlmere, next weekend.
Brasington said the whole side would admit their first half wasn’t good enough, but their effort after halftime was much more pleasing.
Campbelltown City coach Drew Dalton would be frustrated with the capitulation from his side after halftime, when the game was theirs for the taking. Dalton will look for a better effort at home next weekend in the inaugural Ron Kain Cup against Picton at Tony Norton Field.
RESULTS – FIRST GRADE
The Oaks Tigers 27 Campbelltown City 26;
Mittagong Lions 0 Picton Magpies 28;
Oakdale Workers 30 Camden Rams 52;
Thirlmere Roosters 52 Narellan Jets 6
Ladder:
Picton*
Camden 14
Thirlmere 12
The Oaks 10
Campbelltown City
Narellan 8
Oakdale* 6
Mittagong 4.
*Game in hand
RESERVE GRADE
The Oaks 34 Campbelltown City 12;
Mittagong 0 Picton 32;
Oakdale 16 Camden 30;
Thirlmere 28 Narellan 38
Ladder: Picton* 14; Narellan 12; The Oaks 11; Thirlmere 9; Appin 8; Campbelltown City 7; Oakdale*, Camden 6; Mittagong 5
UNDER 18
Moss Vale Dragons 6 Appin Dogs 74;
Mittagong 18 Picton 16;
Thirlmere 22 Narellan 26
Ladder: Thirlmere, Appin 14; Narellan 12; Camden 11; Mittagong 10; Campbelltown City 6; Picton 5; Moss Vale 4
LEAGUE TAG
Mittagong 34 Moss Vale 0;
Mt Annan Barbarians 16 Camden 18
Ladder: Thirlmere 12; Camden, Mt Annan 10; Campbelltown City, The Oaks 9; Mittagong 4; Moss Vale 2
SECOND DIVISION
Moss Vale Dragons 22 Warragamba Wombats 22;
Robertson Spuddies 40 Narellan Jets 4
Ladder: Warragamba 11; Robertson 10; Narellan, Picton 8; Mt Annan 6; Bargo 4; Moss Vale 3
NEXT WEEK – first grade; home teams listed first
Campbelltown City vs Picton;
Narellan vs Oakdale;
Thirlmere vs The Oaks (all Sun 2.30pm)
