The Central Tigers continued their fairy-tale start to the Townsville and District Rugby League season under new coach Dick Walsh with a thrilling 24‒22 victory against Brothers at Jack Manski Oval on Thursday night.
It was the Tigers who showed greater composure in the final quarter of the match to hold on to victory against a spirited Brothers side who never gave up.
Central outscored Brothers five tries to four and looked comfortable for most of the night, however a Brothers try 10 minutes from fulltime put a scare through the Tigers camp, before they were able to hold off a fast finishing Brothers side.
The night turned sour for Brothers front rower Shaun Ashwell who sustained a broken arm during the match forcing him from the field. He now joins fellow pivotal playmakers Nathanial Bowman and Michael Parker‒Walshe on the sidelines.
The Tigers showed great grit in defence in the second half in front of a strong Brothers crowd and once again showed why they will be premiership contenders in 2014.
TOWNSVILLE
Round 6: Centrals 24 def Brothers 22, University 32 def Norths 20, Herbert River 28 drew with Burdekin 28.
Points: Centrals 20, Brothers 16, Herbert River 14, University 12, Burdekin 10, Charters Towers 8, Norths 8.
