Round 20 Sunday wrap: Tigers maintain winning streak over Bears
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The Brisbane Tigers have cemented themselves as the Burleigh Bears' hoodoo team, as the reigning premiers snatched victory with a stunning Tristan Hope penalty goal on Sunday afternoon.
Closing out Harvey Norman Women in League Round, the Tigers upset last year's fellow grand finalists, with Hope kicking a stunning 45-metre penalty goal in the 72nd minute to seal the deal at 24-23.
It was a tough battle at Totally Workwear Stadium, with both teams trading the lead throughout the match to keep fans on the edge of their seat.
With the scores locked at 22-all, Burleigh halfback Guy Hamilton kicked a field goal to put his side in front with 10 minutes left on the clock.
But the Bears soon gave away a penalty, opening the door for Hope to strike.
It was a tough task but the hooker said he never doubted himself as he lined up the goal.
"I just backed myself," Hope said.
"We were down by one and we had the wind behind the backs and I knew I had the distance in the legs.
"I just banged it. To get the result and go up by one point, it's good. It's really good."
The Bears have been unable to beat the Tigers since last year's grand final loss, with the Tigers 2-0 for season 2024.
Match: Tigers v Bears
Round 20 -
home Team
Tigers
13th Position
away Team
Bears
4th Position
Venue: Totally Workwear Stadium, Brisbane
But the Bears are in a better position for this year's finals series, with the Tigers needing to win their remaining three games - all away matches - and have a number of other results go their way to qualify.
Burleigh meanwhile have fallen out of the top four after this round, with Redcliffe leapfrogging them following their 46-14 victory over the PNG Hunters on Saturday.
The Bears are still not a guarantee of playing finals footy but will enjoy a bye next week for a secure two points.
Hope said that despite needing other results to go their way to play finals, the Tigers have not given up belief in their top eight chances.
"I'm ecstatic for our boys," Hope said after the win.
"Obviously the season hasn't gone the way that we hoped after the season we had last year. But there was plenty of feeling between Easts and Burleigh with the grand final.
"That's three-zip to us now. To get a result... it means a lot to us.
"You go out every week to win a game of footy.
"If we can get some back-to-back performances together and get some wins on the road - we have Toowoomba next week, which is a tough away trip, and then PNG, which is as tough as it gets - we're probably still the team that others look over their shoulders at.
"We're young, we're a completely different team to last year but we're full of energy and we just proved we can grind out a top four team and get a result.
"I back us totally to do something still in this season."
Match: Jets v Cutters
Round 20 -
home Team
Jets
14th Position
away Team
Cutters
12th Position
Venue: North Ipswich Reserve, Ipswich
Elsewhere on Sunday, the Ipswich Jets continued their recent impressive form under new coach Tye Ingebrigtsen, notching up their fourth win of the season against the Mackay Cutters.
Capping off the perfect milestone match for Rhys Jacks in his 150th Cup game, the Jets ran in five tries to two to claim the two points.
For a recap of Saturday's Round 20 matches, click here.
To watch replays of Harvey Norman Women in League Round, subscribe to Qplus.tv.
