Red Lions run down Tigers in boilover

The Tigers hosted the UQ Red Lions yesterday at the Den in a day of changing conditions which started with strong winds, developed into pouring rain and then finished with an eerie calm.

The UQ Red Lions have been stalking the Tigers for a long time now desperate for a win with the latter able to hold the honours for many years, but there had been plenty of close encounters. The Tigers were undefeated to this point in the season and were very keen to keep it that way so the scene was set for another good contest.

The Red Lions kicked with the wind in the first term and took full advantage despite the Tigers drawing the first blood through Ryan Doolan. The Red Lions responded quickly through Xavier Cameron before Doolan quickly had another to set up a shootout start.

The battle in the middle had begun with the return of Jamie Ivers after several weeks out with injury as he did battle with Jared Gluch in a very good contest which played out all day between the two big men. At ground level the battle was fierce with the Red Lions getting the early advantage.

The Red Lions made good use of the conditions to go to the first break with a two goal lead and with their tails up.

The Tigers kicked with the wind in the second term and while it had died down to some degree it was still a relative advantage which they were able to make some use.

Eddie Mallan opened the term with a strong mark and goal to get the Tigers up and running while veteran Jack Collings was at his best in the conditions running through the sticky cricket pitch to get the Tigers going forward.

The Tigers wingers in Jack Coghlan and Digby Morison got busy while Zac McLean and Ryan Doolan added to the score along with Jamie Ivers going forward to ultimately even the score at the half time break.

The Red Lions defence was holding fairly strong with Ryan Doolan and Zac Quin under plenty of pressure for space as the Red Lions pressed back with Charlie Pershouse doing plenty of loose man intercepting.

The heavens opened up in the third term with wind and rain changing the conditions dramatically. The Tigers seemed to revel in it though as they edged ahead gradually for the term to be four goals up at the final break.

The Tigers had kicked six for the period with Zac Quin finally able to break out to kick two while Zac McLean also had a pair as well.

It had been an enthralling game to this point and it might have seemed that the Tigers had the Red Lions measure once again.

In another change to the weather, the wind dropped and the rain cleared to set the scene for a strong finish by the most determined side.

It was the Red Lions that wanted the result more as they dominated the last term to come home with a five goal to one quarter and snatch victory with the second last score of the day. The Tigers had a chance to get back in front with the last kick of the day but it wasn't to be this time and the Red Lions had a much deserved win which they would have celebrated well into the night.

Scores: UQ 13.10.88 d Mayne 13.8.86

Goals:  Ryan Doolan 4, Zac McLean 3, Z Quin 2, Eddie Mallan, Tex Korewha, Jamie Ivers, Louis Quin 1.

Best:  Jamie Ivers, Jack Collings, Connor West, Jack Coghlan, Louis Quin, Digby Morison.