Tigers pounce on Gallopers and continue winning streak

Easts have continued their unbeaten run in the Strategic Airlines Premier Rugby competition, defeating GPS 22-14 in cracking game at Yoku Road Sportsground on Sunday afternoon.
 
With GPS upsetting the reigning premiers University, as well as a Reds-strengthened Sunnybank side already this season, the contest was billed as a danger game for the visiting Tigers.
 
And the dual between the two teams didn't disappoint, with the Gallopers firing out to an early lead thanks to two penalties off the boot of Pat Smith.
 
The Tigers then returned serve thanks to two penalties from flyhalf Matt Brandon, sending the teams into halftime deadlocked at 6-all.
 
The young Gallopers outfit regained their lead midway through the second half when hard-working lock Dan Gorman dived over in the corner to give the home side an 11-9 advantage. 
 
Staring at the possibility of the first loss of their 2011 campaign, the Tigers lifted, returning to the lead through a fourth Matt Brandon penalty, before an individual try to outside centre Toby White saw them seal the win.
 
 Tigers coach Pat Richards said his side's fitness and experience were crucial to the result.
 
 "It was always going to be tough out here, Jeeps defended superbly and forced us to change a few things, which we were able to do and come up trumps," Richards said.
 
 "It was a big effort, our starting 15 played the entire 80 minutes and did a great job."
 
While GPS were unable to secure a home victory, Coach Matt Pini praised his side's efforts against the competition's outright leader.
 
“We played really well, particularly in the first half, and we can be very proud of our performance today" Pini said.
 
 “Easts' experience shone through, they forced a couple of crucial errors in the second half that eventually cost us the game.". 
 
 Easts return home to tackle third-placed University next week while GPS will look to consolidate their position in the top four at Sylvan Road against Wests.
 
Easts 22 (T White try and M Brandon 5 pen, 1 con) d GPS 14 (D Gorman try, P Smith 3 pen)
 
By Jessica Jackson