Tigers move into third with fourth straight win

The Tigers continued their march to the finals of the In Safe Hands Cup by registering their fourth straight win, proving too strong for the Diehards 38-4.

That win, coupled with Wynnum Manly’s loss to the Panthers, means the Tigers have moved into third spot, firing a warning shot to the rest of the contenders.  

Easts were first to go over after four minutes in trying conditions at WJ Scott Park, thanks to some very slick hands from left to right for Curtis Dansey-Smaller.

Three minutes later and the forwards showed the same handling and offloading skills when backrower Jack Peoples went over.

With the football now resembling a bar of soap, Tigers halfback Nathan Brown sent the pill skyward to put Valleys fullback David Fauid under pressure.

The presence of a chasing Dansey-Smaller led to a mid-air knock on and Peoples arrived at the right time to recover the ball and travel the extra five metres to score under the posts.

The Tigers were running away with the contest and led 16-0 after 12 minutes, but Valleys went over through Zac McQuire to show some life.

It would prove to be only a small glimmer of hope, however, as the Diehards wouldn’t score another point.

A long-range penalty kick from Brandon Downey had Easts going to the sheds leading 18-4 and just one minute after the resumption Easts, were over again to further extend the lead.

Heath Wilson stepped and put a great fend on to smash his way over for Easts six minutes later, and like the conditions, the scoreboard was not looking pretty for Valleys.

Heavy rain continued as both sides trudged through the next 16 minutes without any points until Zakaria Taibi slipped through the defence to score for the Tigers.

Dansey-Smaller crossed for his second of the afternoon with seven minutes to go to bring the final margin to 38-4.

Also in Round 13, the Panthers were too strong for the Seagulls running out 24-4 winners to remain alone at the top of the ladder while the Redcliffe Dolphins ended their six-game losing streak by defeating the Magpies 30-12.

BRL A Grade In Safe Hands Cup Round 13 results

Easts Tigers 38 (Jack Peoples 2, Curtis Dansey-Smaller 2, Zakaria Taibi, Nathan Brown, Heath Wilson tries Brandon Downey 5 goals) defeated Valleys Diehards 4 (Zac McGuire try)

Wests Brisbane Panthers 24 (Campbell Mohr, Eddie Tautali, Tommy Butterfield tries Khan Awang 6 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly Seagulls 4 (Edene Gebbie try)

Redcliffe Dolphins 30 (Regan Baker, Will Partridge, Corban Daniels, Kyle Foxwell, Taylor Brown tries Oscar Carter 5 goals) defeated Souths Logan Magpies 12 (Jacob Alick, Kobe Tararo, Joseateki Lalagavesi tries)

Ladder