Tigers score five tries to beat Devils

Minor ankle injuries to halves Sean O’Sullivan and Troy Dargan, ending their night early, didn’t help the Devils but they still showed the spark that helped them to topple premiership favourites Burleigh in last week’s first round.

A flowing movement down the right side in the 61st minute featured short passes between centre Gehamat Shibasaki, lock Brandon Lee and winger Paul Ulberg.

Each of those players handled twice in the movement which led to Shibasaki’s first try for the year – and the Devils’ 2500th try in Cup football.

Earlier in the night, backrower Brendan Frei scored his first Intrust Super Cup try, crossing for the Devils in the fourth minute to take a 6-0 lead.

But the Tigers, stocked with their Melbourne Storm players, wrestled momentum back from the Devils featuring Aaron Booth’s try in the 15th minute, cashing in on a 40-20 kick and a penalty.

The Devils head to Davies Park next Sunday to meet Souths Logan.

Earlier today, the Devils celebrated wins in the Mal Meninga Cup Under 18 and Hastings Deering Colts Under 20 clashes. Both teams drew last week but proved too strong for the Tigers.

Intrust Super Cup veteran Guy Williams notched his first win as a coach when his Under 18 squad eased past the Tigers 34-22.

The Colts clash was was tense but the Devils, featuring members of the squad that won last year’s premiership, finished too well for a fading Tigers team. The 22-18 win included a 66th minute try from centre Jack Paterson which propelled the Devils to the lead after they had trailed for almost all of the second half.

Easts Tigers 30 (Sam Lavea 2, Aaron Booth, Albert Vete, Billy Walters tries, Sam Foster 3, Booth 2 goals) d Norths Devils 12 (Brendan Frei, Gehamat Shibasaki tries, Herbie Farnworth 2 goals) at Bishop Park

Tigers will face Ipswich Jets in the XXXX Rivalry Round.