Brisbane Tigers pounce on errors to claim 16-point win over Western Clydesdales

After a forgettable 46-0 loss a week ago to the Northern Pride, the Western Clydesdales were a completely different side in their clash with the Brisbane Tigers on Sunday. Check out the biggest talking points from the clash here.

Esom Ioka of the Western Clydesdales. Picture: Benny Hassum Photography

A determined Western Clydesdales line up sent a scare through the Brisbane Tigers on Sunday but it wasn’t enough to claim a victory as the Tigers earned a 26-10 win on the road.

After an entertaining contest which had several shifts in momentum, take a look at the biggest talking points from the game.

Tigers pounce on errors

In a game of fine margins, the Tigers wasted no opportunities to make the Clydesdales pay for mistakes with their first try of the game coming off the back of a penalty against the hosts.

After the Clydesdales fought back throughout the middle third of the game, Brisbane again showed its ruthless nature when given opportunities with all three of their second half tries coming off the back of either penalties or knock-ons.

Blake Lenehan was at his usual best for the Western Clydesdales on Sunday. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Brave defending

After conceding 46 points in the space of 41 minutes last week, it was vital the Clydesdales improved defending their own line – which they did.

While the Tigers looked threatening every time they were in attack, the Clydesdales were equally impressive when under the pump, with several last ditch tackles made across the forwards and the backs.

The heroism in defence was summarised perfectly by an amazing two-play effort from co-captain Blake Lenehan late in the game.

As the Tigers shifted the ball side to side against a tiring Clydesdales outfit, Lenehan made a rib-crunching tackle on fullback Tony Thompson.

The very next play, as Brisbane shifted the ball from the middle of the field to the corner, Lenehan came up clutch again with a last ditch tackle to stop a try.

Young backs continue to shine

Kaden Buhse’s rise as a Hostplus Cup rookie in 2024 has been simply phenomenal.

The Gatton Hawks gun had a dream debut earlier in the season as he helped the Clydesdales to their only win of the campaign but has not taken his foot off the gas since.

With five tries in 13 games, he has been a solid contributor in attack with his pace keeping opponents on their toes.

Western Clydesdales player Kaden Buhse. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Since moving to fullback in the last couple of games, Buhse has shown his class as one of the pivotal members in the side and looked calm and composed under every high ball sent his way against the Tigers.

Buhse wasn’t the only player who showed his potential with Etelani Pouli impressing in his first game as a starter.

Having come off he bench in his debut a week earlier, Pouli was handed the number seven jersey on Sunday and did not look out of place, as he linked up strongly with his fellow backs and marshalled the troops.

Double road trip to end season

With two rounds left in the campaign, the Clydesdales will face back-to-back road trips to end the season, with difficult trips north to Mackay and PNG.

The Clydesdales will look to put in another strong performance against the Cutters, with the Mackay side currently two spots above them on the ladder.

Meanwhile, the game against the Hunters is one of the most difficult away games in rugby league but Jason Alchin’s side will be boosted by the fact they only lost by six points when these two sides met in June.