Saturday the 19th saw Carluke Tigers face Fife Lions in the final play-off eliminator of the 2008 season with a Grand Final place at stake. This was both teams final shot at a grand final place, where a showdown with Edinburgh Eagles awaits to determine the crown of Scottish Champions.

The match started off at a ferocious pace, with huge tackles being made by both teams as both sets of forwards took the ball to each other in an attempt to get the upper hand. Fife opened the scoring after around twenty minutes, but Carluke hit back almost instantly with a well worked score after several phases of play. The intensity of the match was huge, with excellent defence leading to both teams making a few errors. Both sides scored again in quick succession, but then Fife started to pull away by scoring a further two times before half time.

Half Time - Carluke Tigers 10 Fife Lions 22

The second half opened with the Tigers coming out all guns blazing, and it wasn't long before Carluke scored their first try of the half, bringing the score back to 16-22. For long periods of the match the game was a stalemate, as defences reigned supreme with both teams being so evenly matched. As the match wore on Carluke began to turn the screw, knowing they were only a converted try from talking the game to extra time. Eight minutes from time Carluke Tigers got their score, but the conversion was missed and left the tigers still two points behind.

TWith the Tigers pushing hard for the score to win the game it was a tense last five minutes, with both teams playing fully committed rugby league. As Carluke pushed harder for the line, however, they left themselves vulnerable in defence, and with the last play of the game Fife scored a long distance break-away try against the run of play to seal the victory in a very hard fought encounter.

Full Time - Carluke Tigers 20 Fife Lions 28

Carluke Tigers; A. Lynch, L. Matheson, J. McAuley, K. Matheson, M. Hart, R. McAuley, J. Hillis, M. Martin, C. Lewis, N. Nyemba, N. McAuley, G. Ferguson, S. Rodgers.
Subs; W. Stack, R. Bryan, A. McLatchie, L. McWhinnie.

In what was a very close game, the Tigers were very disappointed to lose a game where there was literally nothing between the two sides. Hopefully in the future, with more experience under their belts the Tigers will come out on the winning side in such encounters. It has still been a hugely successful debut season for the Tigers, and there is still chance of some silverware as in two weeks time they will play in the Scottish Plate Final against Paisley Hurricanes, which is an event the whole club are looking forward to. Once full details of the match are known they will be posted on the clubs official website. For further info email thetigers@live.co.uk.