The Geelong faithful were again left feeling disappointed and dejected after another close loss, this time going down 26-24 against the highly fancied Tamworth Titans.

In the early moments, it looked as though it were going to be a repeat of the Bengal’s woeful performance against the Cowboys, when Matt Gidley sliced through some feeble defence, and raced seventy metres, only to be cut down by a desperate tackle from Nathen Grey. That opening set of six typified the early going in the match, as both sides traded line breaks, but were unable to convert pressure into points.

Five minutes into the game, Geelong’s try line defence was again found wanting, as Anthony Farrah darted over from dummy half to score the easiest of tries. When Bates added the extras, it looked as though it was going to be a long day for the Bengals.

The next twenty minutes were dominated by the home side – but again, they failed to convert pressure into points. The Bengals were relieved when the try scorer turned villain, penalised for stealing the ball – leaving Hall with a kick not even he could miss, bringing the scoreline back to 6-2 in favour of the home side.

If the Bengals were to have any hope in the match, it was vital that they score next, and head into the break on level pegging, or slightly in front. And, with just seconds remaining in the first half, the Titans appeared to head to the sheds early, gifting the Bengals a soft try from a Detreaux grubber kick that rebounded off the upright, right into the waiting arms of Nathan Grey, who scored under the posts. When Hall duely converted, the Bengals were growing more confident by the minute, and an upset looked on the cards.

Half Time Score: Tamworth City Titans 6 trail Geelong Bengals 8

Some gritty defence from both sides dominated the early stages of the second half. Before just twelve minutes into the second half, Detreaux turned villain, nearly decapitating Bates – and conceding a soft penalty, right in front of the uprights.

Bates recovered from the hit, inflicting the ultimate punishment on the Bengals captain, slotting the penalty right over the black dot to level the scores at 8 a piece.

When Kearney crossed the stripe just five minutes later, it appeared as though the traditional Bengals fade out had begun – when Bates landed the conversion from the sideline, Bengals fans could be seen with head in hands – fearing to watch the rest of the match.

First year Bengal, Royce Simms – lifted Bengals spirits, when in the sixty sixth minute, he made a brilliant forty metre break to score under the posts – leaving Hall with an easy conversion, to again level the scores. When Hall duely converted – it was game on again, at fourteen all.

From the ensuing kickoff, Gary Hall dazzled the Tamworth defence, making a brilliant fifty metre break, and putting Bergamasco over for a try out wide – could the seemingly impossible be happening – would Geelong cause an upset? When Hall piloted the difficult conversion from the sideline, and gave Geelong a six point lead – it looked possible!

All the Bengals needed to do, was hold on for ten more minutes…it was heart in mouth stuff for the Geelong faithful, who had travelled more than a thousand kilometres to watch the match.

The dream appeared to be shattering, when Frame made a huge run, running eighty metres virtually untouched to put the Titans within reach. Geelong breathed a sigh of relief when Bates missed the routine conversion – leaving the Bengals in front at 20-18.

From the next set of six, it was the Bengals who were found wanting – as Roy Bell again made a seventy metre dash virtually untouched – putting the Titans in front with only seven minutes left! Bates made no mistake with the conversion – putting the Titans four in front with only minutes remaining – surely the Bengals had lost?
Jowitt gave the visitors something to hope for, when he scored a try with only four minutes to go – levelling the scores for the third time in the game, at 24 all.

It all came down to Hall’s conversion attempt. If he landed it – it would surely give the Bengals the win…twenty metres out, ten metres in from touch….Hall struck it….it looked good, looked good – but NO – it hit the upright and bounced out! We were again left deadlocked at 24 a piece – it looked certain that the Bengals would again have to settle for a draw…

But this game had one more twist left in it – with a controversial offside call inside the final minute gifting Bates an easy shot to sink the Bengals…which he made no mistake with. The Titans had held on. The Bengals were absolutely dejected.

Comments: Doug Hess – Bengals Coach, “I was proud of the boys today. Nobody gave us any chance of pulling an upset off – and we very nearly did. I didn’t get a look at that last offside decision that gave them the win – but we have to accept the referee’s decision. In all honesty – the better team didn’t win today – but that’s the way it goes – you win some, you lose some. Unfortunately, we just cant get across the line for the win.”

Written by Ivanna Manto Kissandhug

The Bengals' heartbreak continues :(

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