Suburbs subdue Lions

By Stuart Teather
EASTERN Suburbs collected their fourth win in a row on Saturday against the North West Uni Lions, in round four of the rugby union Pillar Cup.
After a few early stumbles on defence, the Surburbs turned up the heat on the Lions and took control of the game, eventually winning 34-7.
Tia said the strength of his side was its ability to attack hard on rebounds, and attributed a lot of the side’s success to its excellent defence.
“It was our ability to absorb a lot of pressure — the boys stood up especially in defence — to only allow seven points is outstanding,” he said.
“We just kept at it — that’s what we’ve been doing all year.
“It was a good win because they’re a pretty good side — they’ve beaten some pretty good sides this year.
“They were strong up front and we struggled with our scrums.”
He said Endeavour Hills players Junior Salesulu and Tim Finau were again among the side’s best, but that the side’s two standouts were again Lewis Leaumoana and captain Moses Haukinima, who have featured among the best players in every game this season.
Michael Breen, named player of the round in round three, scored two tries, while Luke Puemau, Sam Taufa and Adam Lewis had a try each.
Michael Thompson had three conversions and a penalty, taking his total to 14 conversions for the year.
Next week the Suburbs face second-placed Kingston at Frog Hollow Reserve in what will be the side’s biggest test of the year.
Tia said the match would show where his side was at, but stopped short of calling it a final’s preview.
“You don’t win the Grand Final in the middle of the season,” he said.
He said the game would have extra spice for him personally, as one of the Kingston coaches was Tia’s assistant coach for the under 16 state side.