Tigers reach Grand Final

Bedford Tigers reached the East Rugby League Grand Final for the third year in a row, as they put 12 tries past a very determined Brentwood side. Bringing a bare 13 players and no subs, Brentwood competed very well in the first half going in 14 points down. Four tries from Ollie Fountain and 20 points from the boot of Lee Walker helping Bedford progress.

The first try of the game came from Fountain, after he picked off and misplaced pass and ran 60 metres for an interception try. Sam Richbell then used his brute strength to cross over with Walker converting both for a 12-0 lead.
Preye Kongha then outpaced Tom Stafford around the outside to touch down for Brentwood.

However, Waide Allen then extended the Tigers lead further after Fountain broke down the right hand edge and passed inside to Allen who kicked the ball ahead, gathered it up and dotted down in front of the posts.

Brentwood reduced the lead to eight points after a Harry Chambers attached onto the end of a wrap-around play. Charlie Chambers with the missed conversion.

Dan Baroux set-up another try for the Tigers, breaking through three tacklers and passing onto Charlie Palmer to touch down. Jamie Goss added the fifth try of the first half shortly afterwards, Walker converting both for a 30-10 lead.

The Eels had the last action of the first-half however, as a high kick was allowed to bounce by Stafford and Charlie Chambers collected the ball to score.

The score at the break was 30-16 and it was then 30-22 after Brentwood scored the first-try of the second half after a bust through the middle of the Tigers defence allowed Ruairi Henderson to touchdown.

That was to be the last score from Brentwood however, as the physical of the Tigers was just too much, although the Eels never gave up in both attack or defence.

Fountain was the first to score in the second half for Bedford as a good kick-off from Walker allowed Bedford to pick-up possession ten metres out from the Brentwood line, and a switch move between Walker and Fountain put the centre under the posts.

Jack Peachey then touched down either side of a Carl Siudak try. The first when he latched onto a short-flat pass, step the last defeneder and dot down under the posts, and then show his power to beat 4 tacklers to again score under the posts. Walker converted both Peachey tries, missing Siudaks to put the score at 52-22.

Fountain the completed his Hat-trick after Goss broke through the middle of the Brentwood line, offloading to Fountain who ran in from 30 metres out. Another conversion for Walker.

Trevor Hibbert then made an instant impact off the subs bench after supporting Tom Stafford down the right-hand edge to score. The final score of the game came from Fountain as he stepped off his favoured right-foot the race under the posts with Walker converting.

The final score was 68-22 to Bedford Tigers but Brentwood never game up in terms of spirit and determination. The Tigers now play Hemel Stags in the Grand Final after they defeated St. Albans Centurions 64-12.

Squads:
Bedford Tigers: Rich Sinclair, Waide Allen, Ollie Fountain, Matt Jones, Tom Stafford, Lee Walker, Jack Peachey, Jamie Goss, Jordan Marshall, Sam Richbell, Carl Siudak, Dan Baroux, Lewis McCracken, Trevor Hibbert, Chris Elliott, Charlie Palmer, Kevin Scales.

Brentwood Eels: Simon Wood, Preye Kongha, Harry Chambers, Sam Dawes, Georgie Treffers, Lawrence Haywood, Charlie Chambers, Cameron Furlong, Taine Burns, Jake Yellop, Ruairi Henderson, Sam Coultish, Chris Suker