Richard MichaelYoung Tigers beat the heat to win league-championship double
September 29th 2008 01:41
For fans of North Shore football, it was the precursor to the Super League grand final that was of interest on Sunday afternoon.
As Sydney sweltered in above-30 degrees above-average heat, the Northern Tigers under 20s were out to win the premiership and championship double against Central Coast Lightning before Bossy Liverpool took on Parramatta Eagles in the first grade decider in front of a crowd that was approximately 1500-strong during the 12.30pm encounter.
The heat led to a change in tactics for Jason Eagar's side. Plans to play their usual expansive running and passing game had to be shelved for a more measured approach to save burnout.
"The heat played a part," Eagar said. "It was a credit to the boys' fitness and maturity that they were able to handle to change in tactics to suit the conditions."
After grabbing a goal in the opening quarter, the Tigers still had to remain disciplined, as the Lightning attacked with vigour, heartwrenchingly hitting the post and crossbar during their periods of territorial dominance.
The Tigers back four stood strong despite the early thigh strain injury to Matt Orlic - ably replaced by substitute Nick Saunders - and withstood the Lightning's continued pressure to once again helped the opposing figure of Jonathon Faerber to attain a clean sheet, as he did in the 4-0 semi-final victory over Rockdale City Suns.
David Cain and the Tigers' midfield continued to cause the Lightning from the centre of the park, but it took until the 71st minute when they were able to go 2-0 up and effectively clinch the championship, with striker Sebastian Kenda sealing victory with a cool finish from a defensive error.
The grand final was a match that illustrated some of football's fundamental values - the value of confidence, form, tactical play and good finishing - and the Tigers were able to tip the balance on the Lightning on these levels, which won the day and allowed them to achieve what their first grade clubmates could not do last season: win both the league and the championship in the same season.
The Tigers finished sixth in the first grade but the under 16s finished runners up and under 18s won the grand final, so even even title-winning coach Hugh McCrory stepping down, the future seems bright for the North Shore outfit.
As Sydney sweltered in above-30 degrees above-average heat, the Northern Tigers under 20s were out to win the premiership and championship double against Central Coast Lightning before Bossy Liverpool took on Parramatta Eagles in the first grade decider in front of a crowd that was approximately 1500-strong during the 12.30pm encounter.
The heat led to a change in tactics for Jason Eagar's side. Plans to play their usual expansive running and passing game had to be shelved for a more measured approach to save burnout.
"The heat played a part," Eagar said. "It was a credit to the boys' fitness and maturity that they were able to handle to change in tactics to suit the conditions."
After grabbing a goal in the opening quarter, the Tigers still had to remain disciplined, as the Lightning attacked with vigour, heartwrenchingly hitting the post and crossbar during their periods of territorial dominance.
The Tigers back four stood strong despite the early thigh strain injury to Matt Orlic - ably replaced by substitute Nick Saunders - and withstood the Lightning's continued pressure to once again helped the opposing figure of Jonathon Faerber to attain a clean sheet, as he did in the 4-0 semi-final victory over Rockdale City Suns.
David Cain and the Tigers' midfield continued to cause the Lightning from the centre of the park, but it took until the 71st minute when they were able to go 2-0 up and effectively clinch the championship, with striker Sebastian Kenda sealing victory with a cool finish from a defensive error.
The grand final was a match that illustrated some of football's fundamental values - the value of confidence, form, tactical play and good finishing - and the Tigers were able to tip the balance on the Lightning on these levels, which won the day and allowed them to achieve what their first grade clubmates could not do last season: win both the league and the championship in the same season.
The Tigers finished sixth in the first grade but the under 16s finished runners up and under 18s won the grand final, so even even title-winning coach Hugh McCrory stepping down, the future seems bright for the North Shore outfit.
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