• You are here:
• Easts v Souths

Souths triumphed 38-17 over Easts in their top four Premier rugby clash at Bottomley Park, after the two sides had been level pegging midway through the second half.

The Magpies proved too strong for Easts in a highly entertaining, physical match, finishing over the top of their opponents late in the second half when the game was there for the taking.

Easts managed to come back from a 17-3 deficit to level the scores 17-17 mid-way through the second half.

But it was all Souths from that point on, the Magpies scoring three unanswered tries and running away with the match.

It was the Tigers' lack of composure and an inability to consolidate after scoring points that cost them the game, according to coach Pat Richards.

“When they (Souths) scored they were able to back it up again with more points, whereas when we scored we let them back in with some lapses in concentration and that hurt us in the end.”

With both sides vying for finals berths this was always going to be a highly physical, aggressive game and when Souths fullback Quade Cooper was shown a yellow card mid-way through the first half for a late tackle on his opposite, Andrew Walker, tempers threatened to boil over.

With Souths in front 10-0 at the time the Tigers looked to press home their advantage, immediately going on the attack.

But determined and resolute defence meant Souths were able to hold Easts to just three points while Cooper was in the bin.

“That was what I thought really won us the game,” said Magpies coach Dan McKellar.

“The defensive effort from the boys for those 10 minutes when Quade was in the bin was outstanding.”

McKellar was also pleased with the way his side lifted when the game was on the line.

“We always knew Easts were going to come back at us.

“We asked them to step it up a gear and I couldn’t be happier with the way in which they did that.”

Souths will look to continue their winning ways next week against the Sunshine Coast while Easts face rivals Gold Coast in another top four clash.

Souths 38 (W Tilagucaguca 2, K Vosuqa, E Teofilo, P Kaho, M Zovko tries; K Vosuqa 4 cons) bt Easts 17 (J Charalambous, C Ladewig tries; A Walker 2 cons, pen)

Match report by Tim Braban