Brothers overcome two yellow cards to grab a one-point win over the previously undefeated Easts Tigers in an exciting top-of-the-table clash in the Sumo Energy Hospital Cup.
Benn Dalle Cort’s late penalty goal with a minute to go last Saturday gave Brothers a 22-21 victory at Crosby Park.
The Brethren now head into a big one next Saturday at Courtney Field against resurgent Norths, who found themselves in rare air at the top of the table after a 34-29 win over GPS at Ashgrove.
At Crosby Park, the Brethren were sparked into action when down nine points by utilising their dominance at maul time. Reserve prop William Manulelia crossed with eight minutes to go after a long-earned reward for territory.
Asking post-game what impressed him the most, Brothers captain William Wilson said: "Physicality. We knew Easts would turn up with a strong set piece and kicking game, which they played to perfection, and we just hung in there to get a couple of breaks at the end to come out on top."
The opening stages were a tactical arm wrestle, dominated through long kicking exchanges as both sides looked to invest in field position. It seemed neither team was willing to overplay their hand, rather feed off an opposition error.
This corresponds with a 50-22 by Lachlan Kirk, who controlled the game nicely throughout the afternoon. The result was the first true 22 entry for the Tigers. Skipper Eli Pilz schemed outside the ruck, creating space for hard-working flanker Brad Wilkin to power over near the left upright.
Brothers, like they have done all season, responded to opposition points. This time, it was in the form of their efficient rolling maul as hooker Dom Fraser plunged over for his first of two tries for the afternoon to level proceedings. 7-all.
Easts continued to build pressure, stringing together over double-digit phases 10 metres from the line before exploiting a chink in the Brethren’s armour. The pick-and-go try to powerhuse backrower Nuku Swerling was once again in easy range for Pilz to convert to make it 14-7.
After struggling to get over the advantage line in the first half, Brothers produced a rare left edge break, which drew a high tackle in good field position. On the day, this seemed like a death sentence for Easts as Brothers utilised their potent rolling maul for Fraser's second. 14-12 with Easts ahead.
The second half began with the Tigers asserting physical dominance as their forward pack won repeated penalties, giving the referee no choice but to go to his pocket as Brothers went down to 14 men.
Capitalising on scrum superiority, Easts delivered a silky backline play which was highlighted by Kirk’s inside pass to winger Ed Fidow for five points. The Pilz conversion put the Tigers up two scores at 21-12.
Brothers' problems deepened with a second card delivered for a shoulder to the head. Still, consistent resilience was shown as they owned territory in the last 10 minutes.
Wilson said: "We let ourselves down there with discipline, letting them play a set piece-dominant game, but down men we did well to keep them out to keep us within reach."
It was a match that had a big game feel and it didn’t disappoint as all eyes turn to the rematch on July 11 at David Wilson Field.
In last Saturday's other games, Souths won for the first time with a 38-36 win away over Sunnybank and University of Queensland beat Wests 46-40 at Sci-Fleet Stadium.
