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THE single point clawed from this game pushed the Tigers further ahead of Pertemps Bees in the race to avoid relegation.

But, with bottom club Launceston winning and leapfrogging the Bees, they are now just five points shy of the Tigers, who remain third from bottom.

That was about the only positive they took from this game, as Welsh showed them how to make the most of limited possession while dominating the tackle and ruck areas with their hard-nosed, bullying approach.

The fact a number of Tigers were either unable or unwilling to "front-up" decided the contest in the wet and wild conditions.

The Tigers took an early lead thanks to Phil Jones' 47-metre penalty kick; but three minutes later the visitors were in front, Alex Goode sending Paul Sampson over by the corner flag.

After a second Phil Jones penalty put the Tigers back in front, Matt Jones charged down his attempted goal-line clearance kick and Jonathan Mills pounced on the loose ball to claim a converted try.

They went further ahead when Ratu Lewaravu was driven over close to the Sedgley posts for a second converted try.

Right on half-time, Tigers star Jon Skurr was yellow-carded and Welsh emerged with the man advantage for the opening ten minutes of the second half, during which time they increased their lead courtesy of Sampson's second try.

The introduction of Martin Halsall, Juan Crous, Gareth Roberts and Matt Riley breathed much needed fire into the Tigers' play and possession was finally turned into points when Jan Van DeVenter shrugged off two tackles to go over by the posts, Phil Jones' conversion cutting the Exiles' lead.

Then on 62 minutes a lineout catch-and-drive was rounded off by Skurr to make it 24-18.

On 73 minutes, Exiles' Matt Jones was yellow-carded.

Six minutes later it became a two-man advantage after fullback Lee best was sent off for punching opposite number Chris Hall, sparking a 22-man touchline free-for-all.

But, try as they might, the Tigers could not force a third try and had to make do with another losing bonus point.

11:20am Thursday 3rd April 2008

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