Bears Claw Back To Maintain
Record

BURLEIGH BEARS 26 defeat EASTS TIGERS 14

It's now 14 months since Burleigh last suffered defeat at home, following the Bears? thrilling 26-14 come-from-behind victory against Easts on Saturday.

Bouncing back from 14-0 down in the 52nd minute, Burleigh scored five unanswered tries at Pizzey Park to remain clear leader of the Queensland Wizard Cup.

The Bears were led by Ryan Gundry in the absence of suspended skipper Ali Brown and, throughout the first half, the fiery hooker staged a running battle with referee Michael Inman.

Frustration was evident in the play of the reigning premiers and compounding errors allowed Easts to gain the upper hand early.

Steve Beattie scored off a Reggie Cressbrook fumble in just the third minute, while Walter Imo followed up with a diving effort out wide in the 27th. Both four-pointers went to video official Tony Maksoud before being given the green light.

At halftime the Tigers led 8-0 and could have been further in front had halfback Jason Connors experienced better fortunes with his short kicking game.

Connors? boot did pay dividends in the second half however, as the visitors scored almost immediately from a well-caught bomb by backrower Marty Allen.

The defensive intensity from both teams suggested a three-try lead would be enough for the Tigers to earn their first win in a month, but Burleigh had other ideas.

Challenged by coach Rick Stone to give his side direction, Adam Hayden (pictured) turned the game on its head with two tries in seven minutes.

The first came from a set move off Gundry, while the second saw him slice through between the posts with minimal effort.

Another set play soon after led to an Aseri Laing try and suddenly the Bears had grabbed the lead for the first time with 15 minutes left on the clock.

A history of tense matches between the 2004 grand finalists continued, as the score stayed at 16-14 until late tries by Cressbrook and Trent Leis.

For Easts, four successive losses now has the team languishing in seventh and stalked from behind by Wynnum. Meanwhile Burleigh owns a four-point buffer at the head of the table.

Next round sees Burleigh host Souths Logan on Sunday, while Easts are also at home to Redcliffe on Saturday.

BURLEIGH 26 (Adam Hayden 2, Aseri Laing, Reggie Cressbrook, Trent Leis tries; Reggie Cressbrook 3 goals)

beat

EASTS 14 (Steve Beattie, Walter Imo, Marty Allen tries; Brandon Costin goal)

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