Eastern a thorn in Lions’ paw

By Marc McGowan
EASTERN Suburbs’ premiership hopes look to be back on track after the team enacted revenge on the North West University Lions at Eltham Rugby Club on Saturday.
The sides met in round three of the Rugby Union Victoria Pillar Cup season last month, and the Lions stormed home on the back of an explosive second half to post a 39-27 win.
Eastern had no intention of a repeat performance and ripped the heart out of its opposition by scoring the outing’s opening five tries before running out a convincing 65-22 victor.
The stunning scoring burst came inside the first 20 minutes, and North West University had no answer as Eastern picked up where it left off the previous week, when it scored the final three tries to knock off the Kingston Redbacks.
Eastern did not play a perfect match, however, and short lapses of concentration allowed the Lions to bolster their total just before and after half-time.
But with Endeavour Hills stars Lewis Leaumoana and Tim Finau leading a wonderful team effort, Eastern romped to its fourth success from seven encounters, which sees it just a win behind ladder leader Westgate Power.
The Power and Harlequin Souths, who still occupy the top two positions, were upset by the Melbourne Barbarians and the Redbacks respectively in a demonstration of how even the competition is.
Eastern coach Stephen Tia was keen to play down the win over the Lions, but recognised the quality rugby his club produced.
“The boys played really well and I think they took a lot of confidence from the week before,” he said.
“Everybody did their business and we basically had it won in those first 15 or 20 minutes.”
Tia believes his squad’s return to its winning ways has much to do with the players working hard on the basics at training.
“I think at the start of the season our scrum and lineouts needed work, but they’re starting to come together now,” he said.
“We’ve still got a lot of work to do and that starts here.
“It comes down to those young men focusing on what they have to do.”
Eastern takes on the Barbarians at Sparks Reserve, Box Hill, on Saturday at 3pm in what shapes as a danger game after its opponent racked up win number one against Westgate on the weekend.