Super League Preliminary Final Review

Northern Tigers too strong for Eagles
Northern Tigers clinched a spot in the Super League Grand Final after defeating Parramatta Eagles 2-1 in the Preliminary Final at Jensen Park.
The Tigers, who finished second, take on third-placed St George at Lily Homes Stadium this Sunday at 3pm. 
But based on their performance today, the win was no more than Northern Tigers deserved. They looked to be in control against a Parramatta Eagles side, who through misfortune and suspension, were fielding an under strength team. Already without Ben Delicata (injured) and Patrick Gatt (suspended), the Eagles lost keeper George Bouropoulos on Thursday night after he suffered a broken wrist at training. The signature of replacement keeper, Simon Jaeger was quickly gained on Friday, in time for the final.
On the contrary, for the Tigers, their side had a very settled look about them, the first eleven, and even the subs bench, seemingly picking itself.
And so to the match, and it didn?t take long for the first goals to arrive. In fact, they arrived only seconds apart.
Northern Tigers were the first to hit the net, Tom Spencer doing what he does best, and getting on the end of a cross in the twelfth minute. But before the Tigers had even thought about readying themselves after their goal, the Eagles equalised virtually immediately. There could only have been thirty seconds or so between goals, with Kutaiba Elrich scoring with a header from point blank range.
A good cross from Paul Davies almost gave Spencer another chance while for the Eagles, Shayne Ardle blasted over on the right flank. But really, the first half was shy of good clear cut opportunities.
But if the chances were limited in a tight first half, in the second, they were anything but.
Early on in the second period, the Tigers had any number of decent chances in which they could have retaken the lead.
Good team work between Max Glanville and Rhys Williams saw Glanville hit the side netting and then Davies perhaps took too long before shooting, his shot charged down.
Shayne Ardle proved to be in the right spot on more than one occasion, clearing off the line twice to deny firstly Spencer, again with another header, and then Sungyun Park. Jaeger got his fingertips to a cross, just touching the ball out of Glanville?s path as the Tigers continued their pressure.
But the game swung their way even more markedly with just under twenty minutes to go. Daniel Fogarty was given a red card for a challenge on Sungyun Park, his departure from the field taking longer than necessary. It was a sign that Parramatta were under pressure, the game clearly not going their way.
And only minutes after Fogarty?s departure, the Tigers goal eventually came. In somewhat debateable circumstances, Jaeger was penalised for picking up what was judged by the referee to be a back pass. A free kick to the Tigers, inside the penalty area, a tap by Tom Geekie to Spencer, and his drive was low through the wall.
It seemed no way back for the Eagles, who did try to recover, throwing players forward as the clock ticked down. But Northern Tigers defended stoutly, Parramatta not really threatening Stuart Page?s goal. If anything, a third goal to the Tigers seemed more likely, Spencer especially, having a gilt edged chance to make it three.
In the end, Spencer?s two goals were enough, and it is the Northern Tigers who will now meet St George in next Sunday’s Grand Final at Lily Homes Stadium
Match Stats
Parramatta Eagles 1 (Kutaiba Elrich 13?)
Northern Tigers 2 (Tom Spencer 12?, 75?)
5 September 2010
Jensen Park, Sefton
Referee: Andrew Best
Assts: Steven Nguyen and Christian Mehl
Parramatta Eagles: 1. Simon Jaeger 2. Daniel Borg 6. Nick Tantalos (13. Luke Grima 90?) 18. Louis Duchesne 8. Matthew Clowes 9. Brian Soane (10. Chris Camilleri 81?) 19. James Stubbs Mills (14. Mitchell Duke 36?) 12. Thomas Wilson 7. Shayne Ardle 4. Daniel Fogarty 11. Kutaiba Elrich
Subs not used: 17. Adam Luzi 40. Oliver Lovell
Coach: Brian Dene
Northern Tigers: 1. Stuart Page 12. Rhys Williams 2. Travis Oughtred 4. Michael Rolston 3. Tom Geekie 6. Paul Davies 14. Brendan Salameh 16. Steven Baveas 8. Max Glanville 7. Tom Spencer 10. Sungyun Park (11. Danny Vuckovic 84?)
Subs not used: 9. Thomas Mackay 15. Lucas Dawson 17. Luke Tomich 36. Marc Messina
Coach: Jason Eagar
St George through to Under 20s Grand Final
St George won through to the Under 20s Grand Final defeating premiers Northern Tigers 2-1 after extra time.
The Tigers had taken a second half lead through Jake Harris, after he chose his spot superbly, chipping neatly into the top right. But with twenty minutes to go, St George striker Jordan Figon was brought down in the area by Stefan von Zelewski and Liam Cole made no mistake from the spot.
St George, who played extra time in each of their semi finals, came through again for the third week in a row. Tom Gollins netted four minutes into extra time, connecting sweetly at the far post, from a corner.
Northern Tigers 1 (Jake Harris 60?) v St George 2 (Liam Cole 70? pen, Tom Gollins 94?) after extra time.
-By Peter Rowney