By Casey OÇonnor
Tyhe Clarkson celebrated his 150th Warwick Redbacks game in style with a match-winning performance in his team’s stunning 99-point win over the Toowoomba Tigers in their AFL Darling Downs Allie Cup Round 14 clash at Warwick at the weekend.
It was the first time the Gardens Galore Redback had put together back-to-back wins for the season coming just a week after an equally impressive victory over the South Burnett Saints.
Supporters at Warwick Credit Union Oval had plenty of to cheer about as their side ran away with a comprehensive 21-9 (135) -7-4 (46) win over the Tigers.
The Redbacks have had problems all season with their opening quarters putting in a lot of work to rectifying the issues and the hard work certainly paid dividends against the Tigers.
The home team were on-fire dominating the opening stanza kicking away to a 9-7 (61) – 2-0 (12) lead.
Samson Lowney returned to the line-up after a long period on the sidelines, having an immediate impact, kicking the first major of the match.
Tom Allison provided a strong marking target at full forward and capitalised with a couple of early goals.
While players player Tyhe Clarkson was not going to be kept out of the action and kicked two goals in 30 seconds to keep the momentum going.
The Tigers came out after the break determined not to lose touch with the rampaging Redbacks with the second quarter becoming more of an arm wrestle.
Both sides managed five scoring shots each though Redbacks made more of their chances, kicking four goals one behind to the Tigers two goals three.
Josh Read was lively in the forward-line and brought intensity and tackle pressure inside the 50. Corrie Gilbert dazed his opposite number bouncing left and right before drilling a magnificent goal from 45 out to send Redbacks to the long-break with a 59-point lead 13-8 (86) to Tigers 4-3 (27).
It was an even more determined Redbacks that came out of the dressing room for the third quarter, with the side looking to make converting opportunities a priority. This was something they managed in spades kicking eight straight goals and not registering another behind in the entire second half.
Vinnie White pumped up the crowd in his 50th game for the Redbacks when he booted his first goal of the year. New recruit Jamie Suhr had the crowd back on their feet when kicked his first goal for the Redbacks shortly after.
The Redbacks were excellent in attack but also strong in defence. Jacob Allison rebounded everything the Tigers kicked and kept them scoreless for the quarter. They headed into the fourth quarter with a 90-poing lead 18-9 (117) to 4-3 (27).
There was no easing off in the final quarter, but the Tigers won bragging rights in the last throes of the game winning the quarter by a point. Unfortunately for the Tigers it was too little too late.
Tyhe Clarkson wrapped up his 150th game in style named the Redbacks Players Player.
Redbacks Goal Scorers -Tom Allison (5); Tyhe Clarkson (4); Samson Lowney (3)
Steven Grogan (2); Brendan Iles (2); Jamie Suhr (1); Vincent White (1); James Fern (1); Jacob Allison (1); Corrie Gilbert (1)
The Redbacks head into their round 15 clash with the second placed Toowoomba Bombers at Heritage Oval this weekend full of confidence.
