At the midway point of the 2022 Border Rugby League men’s fixtures the Tenterfield Tigers head the standings.
The Tigers have not dropped a game this season but on Saturday at the Inglewood Roosters home ground, the Macintyre Sports Complex they were held to a 22-all draw in a thrilling contest.
The home side had plenty of crowd support and wasted no time putting points on the board.
Centre Brandon Sauverain opening the scoring in the second minute of play.
Handed the kicking duties in this game Brent Hearne had no trouble adding the extras to give the side a 6-0 lead.
The two sides looked evenly matched as the score board reflected throughout the game. The Tigers levelled the score when winger Wes Smith crossed. His try converted by Tyler Sargeant.
The lead swung back to the Roosters before Tigers veteran Geoff Swan scored. Shortly after Wes Smith was over again to make it a double and with Sargent’s conversion unsuccessful the Tigers went to half time break leading by a converted try. (Tigers 16-Roosters 10).
Within minutes of returning for the second half the Tigers were in again with a try to their lock Josh Lucas.
Sargent successful with this conversion and the lead was extended to 22-10.
With the backing of the crowd, the Roosters rallied. Shane Hooper scored his second try of the match.
Hearne added the extras to reduce the visitors lead to six points.
The Tigers could not find a way through the Inglewood defence and with 15 minutes left on the clock Inglewood managed to level the scores when halfback brady Zahner scored a nice try which Hearne converted.
Both sides had their chances in the final minutes of the game as play moved from end to end. In a thrilling finish to the game neither side was able to break the deadlock and when the full time siren sounded the score remained 22 all.
Inglewood Roosters 22 (Brandon SAUVERAIN, Shane Hooper 2; Brady Zahner Tries Brent Hearne 3 Goals) drew Tenterfield Tigers 22(Wesley Smith 2, Geoff Swan, Joshua Lucas Tries Tyler Sargent 3 Goals).
In the Ladies League Tag games Tenterfield were far too strong for Inglewood scoring a runaway 64-8 win.
At Sullivan Oval, the Texas Terriers bared their teeth and showed they are the improving side in the four team comp with a 26-12 win over the Gremlins on their home turf.
Two tries to the Texas Captain Coach, Cameron Sweetman bookended a first half double to William Postlewaight. The Terriers goal kickers nailed three of the four conversions. Gremlins Nigel Bonetto and Nic March scored either side of half time. Their captain and goal kicker Jake Burnell added the extras on both occasions.
Poor discipline late in the second half gifted the visitors another four points through penalty goals. The final score on a cold and miserable afternoon at Sullivan Oval Terriers 26 Gremlins 12.
Stanthorpe Gremlins 12 (Nigel Bonetto; Nic Marsh Tries; Jake Burnell (2) Goals ) def by Texas Terriers 26 (Cameron Sweedman (2), William Postlewaight (2) Tries ; (unknown) 5 Goals)
while at Sullivan Oval the Stanthorpe girls had a 16-14 win over Texas in a very close game.
