Last Saturday the Bears put on a first half show to make any coach proud, dominating the Panthers from the first whistle. In just over 5 minutes from kick off, big Joe Chan got the Bears on the board after pouncing on a Panthers mistake as they were attacking the Bears line. Chan scooped up the ball and ran full field, a hug effort for the second rower adding the four points. Harradyn Wilson neatly converted, and the Bears led 0 – 6. Only moments later a strong and fast red & black line swept the ball with precision to the wing finding Abi Toi Tuilaepa who leapt for the corner and grounded the ball with one hand. The sideline kick was waived away and the score showed 0 – 10. Ten minutes of strong defence from the Bears went by, continuing to keep the opposition scoreless until another opportune moment occurred as the Bears were driving towards the try line this time seeing fullback Jake Toby pounce on a loose ball and add the four points. Wilson successfully converted and the lead extended to 0 – 16. As the clock ticked over the thirty-minute mark the Panthers finally found the white line with a questionable forward pass and possible obstruction, but the referee blew the whistle and 6 points went up on the board to the home team. Tensions heated as Panther Sam Lane was put in the Sin Bin with a dangerous lifting tackle that set off the Bears in support of Trey Brown. Bears quickly took the advantage, passing to the short side that saw Sean Vaivelata crash over under the posts, dragging Panthers with him. Matt Stimson converted, and the team went to the sheds up 6 – 22.

The second half started much like the first with the Bears putting on the attacking pressure that saw Trey Brown come up with another opportunistic try and turning to face his teammates with a ta-da look on his face. The try went unconverted, and the score sat at 6 – 26. The Bears, possibly giddy with that initial winning feeling, seemed to take their eye off the ball as Panthers swiftly retaliated running in three converted tries and bringing the score eye wateringly close at 24 – 26 with thirteen minutes still on the clock. The mighty red & black switched back on defended like crazy, maintaining that two-point lead to the final whistle.

Spirits were high in the change room as the team celebrated their second win of the season. Head Coach Tony Barnes commented that the team was “slowly digging their way out of the hole” from the first three losses of the season. The team now sets its sights on the round 6 game when we take on our friendly rivals the South Sydney Rabbitohs. “A high intensity and a hard-working game is ahead” commented Barnsey when asked about the Mario Fenech Clash coming up this Sunday.

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