Super League Midweek Report: Northern Tigers v Macarthur Rams

Following Bankstown City?s draw against St George the previous evening, the Tigers took full advantage of their rivals? falter, a single goal by Jamie Lobb just before half time, being enough to secure the win.
This was a scrappy affair though, on an icy night, with clear goal scoring opportunities being at a premium. The Tigers were without the injured Daniel Cunningham, but otherwise they were at full strength, and the Rams initial five at the back meant that the defences held sway.
It took almost thirty minutes before the first decent chance arrived, Chad Taylor parrying from Paul Davies, creating some desperation in the Rams backline, while Max Glanville also tested from distance. Glanville was dangerous for the Tigers, looking to exert his pace down the left, although Macarthur?s Craig Cooley was a match on most occasions.
The goal that the Tigers desperately wanted arrived two minutes before half time. It came after Lobb ran at the defence, a quick one-two putting him clear, with the task of slotting past Taylor. It was a well worked goal, through a wall of defenders.
Macarthur brought on Stefan Donevski on the hour to try and help turn the tables, Alan de la Cuadra came on to try and craft an equaliser while Peter Halstead moved forward, but the Tigers, with a grip on top, weren?t going to allow them the chance to spoil their night.
Northern Tigers were having to rely on a slip by the Lions and it has come to pass. But with an exceedingly tough game in prospect against Bankstown Berries on Sunday, and a tricky final game at Fraser Park, the race for the title is not over yet.
Northern Tigers 1 (Jamie Lobb 43?) v Macarthur Rams 0
Thursday 9 August 2012
at Mills Park
Referee: David Christie
Assts: Jamie Gavin and Jerry Pitas
Northern Tigers: 1. Stuart Page 12. Rhys Williams 2. Travis Oughtred 4. Michael Rolston 3. Jamie Lobb 6. Paul Davies (c) 10. Liam McCreesh 14. Brendan Salameh 16. Steven Baveas 8. Max Glanville (11. Adam Biddle 84?) 24. Tom Spencer. 
Subs not used: 7. Adam Hett 15. T Reading 17. Will Thom 36. Brandon Bowd.
Yellow Cards: Michael Rolston, Paul Davies. 
Coach: Jason Eager
Macarthur Rams: 1. Chad Taylor 2. Craig Cooley (c) 3. Emmanuel Elali 5. Calum Fleming 7. Peter Halstead  17. Adam Wither 16. Josh Karpes 15. Joel Craig (6. Stefan Donevski 60?) 11. Daniel Duarte (22. Alan de la Cuadra 71?) 8. Michael Brown 9. Shannon Hankin (23. B Simpson 79?).  
Subs not used: 18. S Madden 20. Ben Needham.
Yellow Cards: Josh Karpes
Coach: Claudio Canosa

-By Peter Rowney