A set-piece dominant game fuelled Easts' 34-point win over the high-flying Eagles in the Sumo Energy Hospital Cup on Saturday.
The Tigers' physical supremacy controlled proceedings throughout the afternoon as they cruised to a 49-15 win in the top four clash at David Wilson Field.
Speaking to Easts coach Simon Craig post-match, he explained the plan to minimise Norths' broken play opportunities.
“We wanted to play set piece to set piece and keep them in structure,” Craig said.
“Their nine (halfback Mosiah Christian) likes to control their very broken attack and use their back three as threats, so trying to keep the ball away from them was important”
It was an error from Easts off the first play of the game that gave Norths early field position. In tight formation, it was tight forward structured play before talisman Joshua Mongard crossed to give the Eagles the early cushion of 5-0.
From then on, it turned into a stop-start contest in which the Tigers thrived.
While Norths' try-line defence was steely, they couldn’t match the brutality at scrum time. It led to phases on the line which was too much to handle. Former Reds flanker Liam Wright barrelling his way over.
Flyhalf Lachlan Kirk knocked over the extras to start a perfect seven-from-seven afternoon converting each of the Easts' tries.
The Tigers' momentum continued. After earning another set-piece penalty, Easts marched deep into enemy territory and quickly added a second try through hooker Max Craig rumbling over off a direct rolling maul.
Scrum time pioneered the locals' third try with scrumhalf Billy Kirk picking up the scraps and sniping over after a rampaging 5m scrum for 21-5.
Adding insult to injury, on the cusp of halftime, it was a pick and go by No. 8 Gordie Lloyd, capping off a physically brutal first 40 from the blue and yellow.
When asked at full-time what the message was to the playing group at 28-5, Craig responded: “Tidying up our breakdown attack a little bit and being able to be the first to score to make sure they weren’t able to gain confidence”.
Both sides struggled to gain time in the opposition's end for the first 20 minutes of the second half.
It was reserve forward Julian Scott-Davies who provided a platform-building 10m run to allow numerous phases inside the 5m line for Easts. Hard-working inside centre Jake Pappin willed his way over to seal the deal as Easts had a 35-5 lead with 18 minutes to play.
Norths didn’t give in, consistently trying to find avenues on the outside in the second half, but the Tigers' defensive line was shifting nicely to shut down the speed the Eagles possess.
Furthermore, it was the inside men who made constant big hits to nullify the Norths outside backs' capability of stepping on the inside all afternoon.
A windy day forced lineouts to be more difficult in the conditions. It was a miscue at lineout time from Norths that gave Craig the chance to cross over for a double.
It was late tries to speedster Alex Flanagan Smith and captain Mongard, diving over for a double, that added a bit of respectability to the scoreline.
The reward for Easts was jumping ahead of Norths into second on the ladder.
