Intrust Super Cup: Easts Tigers rocked by injuries in wake of win over Wynnum Manly Seagulls

EASTS’ hard-fought 30-18 victory over Wynnum Manly yesterday has come at a huge cost, with three of the club’s stars looking at lengthy spells on the sideline.

Tigers Billy Walters looks to the try line. Intrust Super Cup match of the week - Easts v Wynnum Manly. Pics Tim Marsden

EASTS’ hard-fought 30-18 victory over Wynnum Manly yesterday has come at a huge cost, with three of the club’s stars looking at lengthy spells on the sideline.

While the Tigers were always in control of the Intrust Super Cup clash at Langlands Park, they were left bruised and broken.

Chris Ostwald and Michael Kai were the first to go in the opening half, with Ostwald suffering from concussion and Kai a broken leg.

They were followed in the second stanza by Storm affiliate Jeremy Hawkins and forward Ash Little, leaving the Tigers with no reserves for the final 30 minutes.

Coach Scott Sipple confirmed the bleak outlook, with Kai out for the season and Hawkins for up to two months.

Little was taken for scans after suffering a suspected ruptured achilles.

“The boys did a great job just hanging tough,” Sipple said. “It’s the sport we play and today the guys had to play it tough.”

In the absence of some of the more experienced Tigers, young halves Brentt Warr and Billy

Tiger Billy Walters looks to the tryline. Picture: Tim Marsden

Walters were required to step up, as was 21-year-old fullback Guy Hamilton.

The trio orchestrated most of Easts’ tries over the winless Wynnum Manly, with Walters scoring his own in the 31st minute to help give the Tigers a 20-0 halftime lead.

However, Sipple said he felt the three panicked when the Seagulls put on 18 points in a second-half comeback.

“They stepped up but they probably overplayed their hand,” he said.

“We have to learn to stay calm and assess the situation. In the last 15 minutes they did that.

“The team stuck tough and knew Wynnum had fresh reserves so it was a great effort by them.

“You can’t train that.

“That’s just will and determination.”

Tiger Suliasi Vunivalu breaks the line on his way to a great try. Picture: Tim Marsden

Wynnum Manly’s comeback resulted in tries to Stephen Coombe, Patrick Templeman and Alehana Mara while Hawkins, Suliasi Vunivalu, Matthew White and Jamie Anderson joined Walters on the scoreboard for Easts.

Elsewhere, Northern Pride thrashed Tweed Heads 48-0, Burleigh made a comeback against Souths Logan to win 38-32 and PNG’s Ase Boas slotted through a last-minute field goal for an 11-10 victory to end Townsville’s unbeaten streak.