League: Tigers turn tables in final

The Kia Toa Tigers celebrate winning the Dunedin competition on Saturday at the Oval.
The Kia Toa Tigers celebrate winning the Dunedin competition on Saturday at the Oval.
Scott Cameron seals the win for the Tigers with a try in the dying minutes. Photos by Jane Dawber.
Scott Cameron seals the win for the Tigers with a try in the dying minutes. Photos by Jane Dawber.

The Kia Toa Tigers proved history counts for nothing when they beat the South Pacific Raiders 34-14 in the final of the Otago rugby league competition at the Oval on Saturday.

The Tigers, who had not beaten the Raiders all season, were ruthless in defence and clinical on attack in their seven-tries-to-three victory.

Tigers coach Sonny Teio paid tribute to his team after the game.

"It was a real team effort. We have got a good mix of experience and young guys. I am just real happy with how the guys played," he said.

None was better than Tigers captain Joel Taniora. He was instrumental in their win, scoring three tries, making several good tackles and having a big influence in general play.

"The forwards were huge today and my outside backs were running some good holes. I am just lucky I can get some good ball at the right time," Taniora said.

Raiders captain Manassah Kutia was philosophical after the game and said it was hard to stumble at the last hurdle but the side just had to take it and move on, the Tigers were the better team.

The Raiders started the game strongly with a try in the first minute to winger Thomas Tewhaiti-Henry but that was all they had to show for the first half, as the Tigers asserted their dominance.

They were better at converting pressure into points and tries to Taniora (3) and lock Shane Unahi saw the Tigers leading 20-4 at the break.

The Raiders got off to a great start in the second half with early tries to hooker Simon Fuatavai and another to Tewhaiti-Henry to cut the Tigers lead to six points.

But the Tigers regrouped and two tries in five minutes to Unahi and centre Cody Raymond saw them leading 28-14 with 20 minutes to play.

The Raiders threw everything at the Tigers in the final 20 minutes but their defence would not budge and a try right on fulltime to second-rower Scott Cameron sealed the win for the Tigers.

The Tigers forwards were outstanding with props Koben Katipa, Ronnie Tauarii and Unahi having fine games.

Their backline showed good cohesion on the back of some good distribution from Taniora and standoff Ryan Tapsell.

The Raiders had been the form team all season but could not find form on Saturday.

But the side contributed to a fine game and Fuatavai, halfback Joe Kirker and standoff Tamiti Davis showed some good touches.

University hooker Thom Ellery was named MVP of the competition.


FINAL SCORES

Kia Toa Tigers 34
Joel Taniora 3, Shane Unahi 2, Cody Raymond, Scott Cameron tries, Unahi 3 con

South Pacific Raiders 14
Thomas Tewhaiti-Henry 2, Simon Fuatavai tries, J Kirker 1 con

Halftime: 20-4


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