By Casey OÇonnor
A last minute try to Jack Thomas has given the Tenterfield Tigers a thrilling two-point win 20-18 against rivals Texas Terriers in their round eight Border Rivers Rugby League clash at Rugby League Park, Tenterfield.
Tenterfield did not play in round seven after the Gremlins were forced to forfeit and were fresh and firing for their clash with the Texas Terriers at Rugby League park in Tenterfield.
In a tough game the tenacious Terriers took the battle right up to the unbeaten competition leaders.
The Terriers started the game with purpose and had points on the board in the opening minutes of the game.
A simple mistake from Texas in their own in goal all but gifted the home side points. With great field position, Tigers fullback Tom Landers made the visitors pay for their error scoring the first of a double. Geoffrey Swan added the extras and the Tigers led 6-4.
The Terriers regrouped and a try to Tyson Dunn late in the second half put Texas back in front 10-6 at the break.
Tenterfield were stung into action and after the break and came out firing. Halfback Geoffrey Swan scored for the Tigers but failed to convert his try and the scores were locked up at 10 all.
Texas were awarded a penalty soon after and took the two points on offer to break the deadlock and lead 12-10.
The game was a real arm wrestle moving from end to end with scoring opportunities to both teams. It was the Tenterfield fullback who scored next giving him a double for the game. Geoffrey Swan made no mistake with this conversion and the Tigers pushed the lead out to 16-12.
With 10 minutes left on the clock the Terriers captain coach Cameron Sweedman led from the front to wrestle back the lead with a try of his own. The Terriers led 18-16 as the clock ticked down towards full time.
The Terriers supporters were howling when the referee appeared to miss a knock on. Tenterfield had back to back sets just two minutes from full time and Jack Thomas had the home crowd on their feet when he scored to give Tenterfield a hard fought 20-18 win.
The two teams will do it all again next weekend when the Tigers travel to Texas for a replay of their round eight clash.
On the other side of the draw the Stanthorpe Gremlins travelled to the MacIntyre Sports Complex in Inglewood to take on the Roosters.
In a one sided game the Roosters ran in eight tries to the Gremlin one. Kaide Elder scored twice for the Roosters while a procession of try scorers included Jaycob Mudge, Shane Hooper, William Osborne, Brady Zahner, Brent Hearne and Brent Osborne. Hearne kicked three goals and Brady Zahner as the home side outclassed their opposition. The Gremlins lone try came from Talavou Aumalo Tafeaga.
Both teams do not play again until 16 July when the Roosters play Tenterfield at home in a top of the table clash and Stanthorpe make the trip to Texas to play the Terriers.
