THE Philippine Tamaraws were scheming for their first rugby league double on Australian soil before a crowd of 1000, but it was not to be: The national first grade Tams went down to Niue, 36-22, in the main Test match at Ringrose Park, Wentworthville, on Saturday, October 4, 2014.
By JAIME K PIMENTEL
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Tams’ Under-23 juniors wiped Thailand Stars off the park, 48-0, in the curtain-raiser.
Niue opened the psyche war chanting and dancing the Haka in a confronting bid to intimidate the Tams before the game, and then sped off to a 20-0 lead at the break.
The Tams came alive early in the second half when fullback Will Dreves crossed the line from a good ball to open the Philippines’ account for a 30-6 score.
Tams Under-23’s defence was rock solid throughout the game, never allowing Thailand Stars to score from tries or goals.
With more ball in hand, the Tams went into top gear with relentless attack to take the wind off the Thailand Stars, allowing the pinoys to move the ball around against an increasingly weakening side.
Tams captain Ricky Kucia finished with four tries and was named Man of the Match and received the Players’ Player Award.
In the main seniors game, the Tams and Neui sides showed formidable defence and the appeared evenly matched in the first 10 minutes.
The pinoys had a couple chances to get on the scoreboard but poor handling errors stunted their attack. Niue exploited the errors and scored on the left in the 10th minute to open their account, 6-0, and followed with another in the 17th minute.
Niue notched another two unconverted tries to pull away for a lead of 20-0 lead at the break.
The second half kicked off with Neui pushing the score to 24-0 with an early try.
Tams fullback Will Dreves eventually opened pinoys’ account with a try near the posts. The try seemed to turn the game around to the Tams’ favour, but Niue hit back again, increasing its lead by 24 for a score of 30 to 6.
This prompted the Tams to up the tempo, hitting back through former Melbourne Storm star Paul Sheedy in the 62nd minute and lock forward Brian West in the 68th minute. This took the score to a 30-16.
With time running out, Tams’ supporters felt a more robust comeback brewing. But Niue snuffed out any hope with another try.
A late try by Tams’ Paul Sheedy took the final score 36-22 in Niue’s favour.
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PICTURES by JEFF KAN:
TOP PHOTO: Tams forward Shane Gray, left, taunts Neui defender as he takes the ball up, with captain Luke Srama, centre, in support.
MIDDLE PHOTO: Parick Manasala, of the Tamaraws’ juniors, punches a hole through the Thailand defence.
BOTTOM PHOTO: Tamaraws in the background, facing Neui, unfazed by the Haka ‘dance’ before the game.
