AUTHOR : Group 4 Rugby League

Greater Northern Tigers have won their way into a Laurie Daley Cup Final against Central Coast after a gritty 16-10 win over Western Rams at Kandos’ Waratah Park today.

The Darryl Rando-coached Tigers rebounded from a 20-10 last round loss to the Rams to claim a 16-10 win in the Country Championship semi-final.

“It was a pretty tough game,” said coach Darryl Rando.

“Both sides were pretty solid in defence. We could have played a bit smarter in the second half but the first half was great. I think we played our best football all year in that first half.”

The Tigers led 12-nil after 16minutes after tries to props Mark Simon and Jake Clydesdale were converted by fullback and captain Mitch Henderson.

The Rams hit back early in the second half when winger Tobias Miller scored a converted try but the Tigers responded well with centre Blake Johnston crossing for an unconverted try in the 52nd minute.

When Rams winger Darcy Leadbitter scored in the 59th minute it guaranteed a nervy finish for the visiting Tigers.

Added to that excitement was the sin-binning of rival props Mark Simon and Mana Dermott three minutes from fulltime after another blowup between the enthusiastic and determined sides.

Simon, fellow prop Clydsdale and lock Sam Fechner were outstanding, Fechner at one stage making three hard hitting tackles in one set, the third one forcing a dropped ball from his opponent.

Five-eighth Ethan Antzakles and ever-dangerous fullback Henderson also starred, Henderson’s footwork and elusive running another feature.

“Everyone played well though,” Darryl Rando added.

“Everyone had to, if you don’t you don’t those games.”

He thought the two props – Mark Simon and Jakes Clydsdale – were outstanding and believes the side is a big chance of beating the Central Coast Roosters in this weekend’s Laurie Daley Cup Grand Final.

Central Coast Roosters beat Monaro Colts 12-6 in the other semi-final to set up the Tiger-Rooster Grand Final.
The Roosters beat the Tigers 22-4 in an early Country Championship round.

“They beat us 22-4 in the wet, it was torrential and we weren’t good.”

He thinks Scone would be a good venue for the Laurie Caley Cup Grand Final too given the horrendous wet weather predicted for the coastal areas over the next week.

“Scone would be good for both sides, central for both us and the Central Coast,” he said.

Scone, Muswellbrook or Singleton would provide good, dry central venues for both Greater Northern and Central Coast.

GREATER NORTHERN TIGERS 16
TRIES : Mark Simon, Jake Clydsdale, Blake Johnston
GOALS : Mitch Henderson 2
d
WESTERN RAMS 10
TRIES : Tobias Miller, Darcy Leadbitter
GOALS : Braye Porter

CENTRAL COAST ROOSTERS 12
TRIES : Tyler Moriarty 2
GOALS : Jessi O’Neill-Pethebridge
d
MONARO COLTS 6
TRIES : Joshua Latham
GOALS : Mitchell Evans

2021 Laurie Daley Cup GRAND FINAL

CC ROOSTERS v GREATER NORTHERN TIGERS

Tigers tryscorer Blake Johnston on the attack during this season’s Laurie Daley Cup campaign. (Photo : courtesy Jason Smith)

For more great Semi Final Photo visit OurFooty Mate bsphoto.com.au

Laurie Daley Cup Semi Finals Action Photo’s

Andrew Johns Cup Semi Finals Action Photo’s 

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