Big second half for Bears Flegg

12 Aug 2005: The North Sydney Jersey Flegg side has continued to improve and look to the 2006 season in its last home match of the season.

Norths took the lead midway through the first half when Chris Tuatara (playing on the wing) powered over in the corner to put the Bears 4-0 up.

The game was evenly matched, but Balmain was helped by 3 or 4 consecutive penalties which put them well on the attack. The last penalty saw Jessie Mileto put in the in bin for ten minutes, and Balmain scored two tries while they had the overlap. North Sydney defended well, but was outnumbered. Balmain led 12-4 at half time.

North Sydney was back to full strength for the second half, in a good display of football from the Bears, characterised by some imaginative attack and solid defence. However the Bears couldn't penetrate the Balmain line, despite dominating possession. By contrast, Balmain scored on the only occasion they were in the Bears 25, on the back of a North Sydney line drop from a Bears mistake, just seconds from full time.

Coach Gavin Catanach was impressed with his boys' effort in the second, "We lacked a bit of talk and intensity in the first, but our second half was one of our best against a very good opposition". Gavin praised forwards Mitch Erickson and Jessie Mileto for their courageous performance and the appropriately named Anthony Beare was again a running dynamo.

Special mention again for this years S.G. Ball rep Liam Foran who once again slotted effortlessly in to the Flegg backline and Chris Tuatara was outstanding on the wing.

PHOTO: Bears No. 8 Mitch Erickson received high praise from Flegg coach Gavin Catanach.

BALMAIN TIGERS 16 (3 tries, 2 goals) defeated NORTH SYDNEY BEARS 4 (Chris Tuatara, 1 try).

This weekend the boys have a bye as they prepare for their next match against the Central Coast Rip.

NORTH SYDNEY RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL CLUB