Tigers overpower Capras

The Easts Tigers continued their undefeated start to the season after proving too strong for the CQ Capras during their Round 5 Red Socks match held at Langlands Park; running out 44-12 winners.

A penalty off the first tackle of the match gifted Easts great field position, and it didn’t take long for them to flex their muscle, with Albert Vete crashing over in the third minute thanks to a lovely short pass from crafty hooker Aaron Booth.

The young Capras forward pack struggled to match it with the vastly more experienced Easts forwards, and Josh Ralph took full advantage of some lazy inside defenders to put fullback Matt Cooper over in the 15^th minute.

The Capras, despite their best efforts, couldn’t make their mark on the game with Easts controlling much of the first half.

Having enjoyed a whopping 71% of possession in the first 20 minutes of the match, Easts continued to build pressure and eventually the Capras goal line defence cracked, with Cooper latching on to a loose pass from Sam Foster to cross for his second try of the day.

Booth was involved in yet another Easts try when Bennett Leslie crashed over in the 28^th minute to give Easts a 22-0 lead at halftime.

The Capras looked to complete early, but an error coming off their own line invited Easts into attacking territory and the quality of Easts outside backs were on display when Ralph sent Melbourne Storm centre Cheyse Blair over in the 47^th minute.

An error off the restart saw the Capras hit straight back through Sione Veukiso in the 52^rd minute, with BJ Aufaga-Toomaga slotting a near sideline conversion to make it 26-6.

Despite their best efforts, an error-riddled second half from the Capras saw Easts pile on more points, as unlikely hat-trick hero Albert Vete crossed in the 60^th and 65^th minute.

The Capras scored a late consolation try through Chalice Atoi in the 74^th minute, but it was the Tigers who had the last laugh with bench forward Tyrone Amey barging over in the 77^th minute to grab his first career try.

The Tigers dominated in every facet of the game and the score line showed it with the Tigers running out eventual 44-12 winners.

Young Capras forward Aaron Pene impressed with a string of damaging carries, but it was Easts Tigers hooker Booth, who turned heads with a dominant performance that included a handful of try assists and five goals; earning him the Hastings Deering man of the match honours.