HELENSBURGH coach Ryan Powell is confident his side can go all the way and defend their 2015 title after winning their way into this weekend’s grand final qualifier against Dapto.
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The Tigers shrugged off an inconsistent season to overwhelm Collegians 38-24 at Collegians Sports Centre on Saturday, putting themselves within one win of what would be a fourth grand final appearance in as many seasons.
Trailing 18-10 at the break, the Tigers ran in 28 second half points to six to claim the victory and extend their premiership defence at least another week and Powell was unequivocal when asked how far they can go.
“We an go all the way that’s for sure,” Powell said.
“We can’t go all the way if we play two different halves like we did today. We’ve got to play both halves the way we played the second. If we can put that together we can do it again.
“The first half was the same as our season, it was bit scrappy, we completed at 60 per cent and we gave away a too many penalties. The second half we completed at 90 per cent and the footy we played was really good. It’s just the way our season’s gone.
“I think the try right on halftime was a momentum swing for us. We finally got some good ball and we executed a play we talked about through the week and they got points off it and that gave them a little bit of belief.
“I never doubted them once that we’d win the game, it was just about how much we were going to win by and when you put 90 per cent completion on the board with the boys running the way hey were they got the win they deserved.”
The Dogs led 6-0 after Daniel Burke sliced through to score. He added a penalty goal minutes later for an 8-0 lead before Simon Maslanka hit back for the Tigers.
Mason Pure barged across for a 14-6 lead and when Luke Jurd barged across the Tigers looked ripe for the picking before Joe Lovodua’s try right before halftime cut the margin to 18-19.
It proved a telling blow with the Tigers taking command after the break with tries to Maslanka, Khan Salimilakas, Grant Smith and Azan Turoa before Collies finally hit back through Jurd. It gave the Dogs a sniff at 32-24 before a try to Wayne Bremner sealed the 38-24 win.
Collegians coach Nathan Fien said his side ultimately paid for not making better use of their first half momentum.
“We were pretty clinical in the first half, I think we were 18 from 19 [completions], and with stats like that you’re always going to give yourself a chance,” Fien said.
“Looking at Helensburgh’s body language at certain times in that first half I thought we were definitely on top but that try on halftime gave them a sniff.
“The second half was just a complete reversal.They’re a very classy side and I thought we lost control of the ruck a little bit and brought in the Bremners and Smithy and the McCraes and they just got us going backwards. Hat’s off to the boys for hanging in there and we were able to keep fighting but it just wasn’t to be for us.”