Collies no closer to defeat after demolition job on Helensburgh

The Dogs scored three tries to lead 14-0 after just eight minutes in a first-half blitz that all but put the match to bed inside the first 20 minutes.

They posted two more tries before the break to lead 24-0 at halftime and went on with it in the second stanza, posting four more tries to complete the rout and ensure they remain on top of the ladder with a handy differential at the mid-point of the season.

The Tigers came into to match having won two of their previous three games, including an upset 20-18 win over Thirroul last start, and Collies coach Nathan Fien said it was important his side took early command of the clash.

“You know what Helensburgh are like at home and coming off that win last week over the Butchers we prepared for a really tough game,” Fien said.

“That was the mindset we had to come with and we were able to do that. The first 15-20 minutes really set what we were about today.

“We wanted to really match them with our intensity and our outside backs were fantastic with their early carries and our middle forwards really laid the platform well for us to give Boyley [Jarrod Boyle] and Jonesy [Ben Jones] a bit of space to create.

“In the second half we were a bit scrappy at times and games can get like that but we’ve just got to set that bar a little bit higher and go on with it.

“When we played them in round two we allowed them right back into the game, and we’ve done that a couple of times this year, so to defend our try-line and still have that fight on the defensive side of things was really pleasing.

“There’s always still things to work on but I think we showed we’re headed in the right direction.”

A mistake from the hosts in the opening set of the game opened the door for Saxon Onur to open the scoring in just the second minute and take a 4-0 lead.

Brodie Rigg crossed in the very next set after Jones caught the Tigers napping on the short-side and the lead blew out to 14-0 when Donte Efaraimo produced a classy finish to a sweeping back-line move three minutes later.

The Tigers regrouped but couldn’t stem the flow of points, with Matt Jurd barging over in the 20^th minute before Goodwin’s try on the stroke of halftime gave the Dogs a 24-0 lead at the break.

The Tigers had a glimmer of hope when Scott Allan scored six minutes after the resumption but it was quickly snuffed out by Alec Reid’s four-pointer three minutes later.

Veteran hardman Steve McCallum also got across for the Tigers in the second half but it came against the tide of a double to Jones and a late try to back-rower Haydn Peacock to round out the 48-12 scoreline.

At Parrish Park, Wests and Berkeley were locked at 18-all at halftime before the Devils prevailed 42-28 while Dapto easily accounted for Corrimal 58-14 at Ziems Park.