Carina Tigers produced the upset of the round in the Rugby League Brisbane Open 1 men’s competition on Saturday, with a spirited 26-10 win over second placed West Arana Hills Panthers.
The Tigers, who were languishing in second last spot, put on a superior performance for their hardy supporters at Leo Williams Oval, coming away with the prized scalp of a Panthers side that boasted ex-Brisbane Broncos forward Korbin Sims.
But the script did not always go to plan for the home side, with the Panthers drawing first blood in the sixth minute.
Callum Stewart's quick thinking from dummy half saw the diminutive hooker snatch a sneaky try beside the sticks.
The visitors went further ahead in the 18th minute through winger Keanan Yow Yeh.
The elusive Yow Yeh was no match for his opposite number, initiating the afterburners down the sideline to score a great solo try.
After the early onslaught by the Panthers, this would be the last time the visitors posted anymore points in the game, as the Tigers took over complete control.
The home side finally got on the board in the 30th minute through the hardworking Billy Sainsbury.
A great backline movement had the halfback doubling around to score in the corner.
The gap could have been equalled in the dying stages of the first half through Tigers' Harrison Cruickshank, however the referee was on the spot to rule the pass forward and see the Panthers go into the break with a 10-4 lead.
Whilst the Panthers continued to punch up the middle through forwards Sims, Nathan Cameron and Nathan Spencer, the Tigers defence was superb.
It would take a Panthers mistake for Carina to post their next points through a dropped ball.
Tigers fullback Liam Fitzsimmons scooped up the pill to race 60 meters to score under the posts and level it up at 10-10.
Then the changing of the guard ensued.
Sainsbury again in the thick of the action miraculously scored a superb solo try that saw the halfback leap into the air and plant the ball down millimetres from the sideline to put the home side in front.
A shocked Panthers could only look on as the Tigers started to rattle cages.
Best player on the park Tigers hooker Cooper Smith was deserving of a four pointer and he claimed a meat pie in the 55th minute when he dived over from dummy half to put the Tigers further ahead at 22-10.
The Panthers tried gallantly to take back control of the game though the brilliant Elijah Wickham, but it was to no avail.
With seconds remaining on the clock, the Tigers drove the nail further into the coffin.
Workaholic back rower Sheldon Tairea-Rapana was too big and strong as he carried three Panthers defenders over the line to score in the corner and see the Tigers come away in what was their best win of the season.
They will look to continue the momentum away to Samford Stags on Saturday, while West Arana Hills will try to get back on track and secure second place on the ladder against last-placed Wynnum Juniors in the final round of the regular season.
