With semi final positions already decided for 2008, Glen Innes and Tingha turned in a highly entertaining A Grade rugby league match at Mead Park on Sunday.
The visitors deserved their 40 - 34 victory, although the Magpies will retain the points after it was found Tingha had played an unregistered player. The loss will probably do Glen Innes more good than harm as they prepare to rejoin battle with the Tigers in the major semi final, again at Mead Park, this Sunday.
Both Glen’s defeats in 2008 came at the hands of Tingha, in the first and last matches of the preliminary matches. The first match has little bearing on the result because Glen’s teams bears only passing resemblance to the one which took the field that day. This Sunday, Glen will welcome back strong back-rower Damian Doust and powerhouse Tim Every while hooker Mitch Berridge expects to be fit to play.
Sunday’s match was a cracker, full of highly energetic and robust play from both sides. Tingha took the early lead with a fourth minute try to winger Tod Prince, but Jake Key leveled proceedings five minutes later with a superb individual try in the corner from a line drop-out. The second rower, returning from injury, stormed through several defenders to slam the ball down.
Prince was almost in again in the twentieth minute when Nathan Blacklock sent the winger hurtling for the corner. Fullback Mark Muggleton saved the try with a superb tackle, but five minutes later Blacklock scored between the posts when Glen players stood waiting for the ref’s whistle.
Then, in the 28th minute, Tigers lock Brendon Anderson scored the first of his double and Tingha led 14 - 4. Daniel Ferris got a nice try for Glen (32nd minute) and then was involved with half back Aaron Jones in the lead up to James Sheridan’s 37th minute try in the corner. At halftime, the Tigers held a narrow 14 - 12 lead.
Glen spilled a lot of ball early in the first half and must errors not expected on their form of the past several weeks. Their intensity was down a little, but Tingha were playing well, providing the toughest opposition all season. Jason Ferris was heavily involved in setting up play and made a couple of nice little darts through the line.
Tingha fullback Will Jerrard scored three times in the second half to ensure the narrow victory. Clint Connors also got a four-pointer while Anderson scored his second in the 70th minute. Lock Jamie Watts supported a break by Sam Key (52nd minute) to score handy to the posts and four minutes later replacement forward Ben Creighton, took a low return pass from Joel Jackson to score the leveling try. Sam Key’s successful kick put Glen in front for the first time.
Just before the hour, Daniel Ferris crossed for his second try after Glen spun the ball from one side of the field to the other to take a 28 - 20 lead. But Tingha, playing against just 12 Glen men, scored the next two tries to claw back the advantage and lead 30 - 28.
The Tigers earned a line drop and Ray Craigie fielded the ball and beat one defender to find himself in open space for the crucial try that opened up an eight point lead. Jerrard then got his third with time running out to seal the win. But Jackson stormed through the defence to get a converted try right on fulltime.
Tingha was well served by Jerrard, Anderson, Blacklock and Craigie but hooker Brayden Dwyer was their best, turning in a dynamic display.
Jason Ferris, Sam Key and Shad Bailey were strong for Glen while veteran hooker Artie Latham was tremendous in defence and gave good service from dummy half. Muggleton was great in the first half but he had been battling a virus all week and did not return after the break.
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