BROTHERS have won the opening battle in the 2008 war for Cairns District Rugby League supremacy, beating Tully 40-24 in their top-of-the-table clash at Stan Williams Park yesterday.

Both teams were undefeated heading into the round eight clash but Brothers now has sole leadership of the competition after dominating the first half, with the Tigers slow out of the blocks.

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Brothers led 10-0 after 13 minutes and then 24-4 at halftime as they played a patient, controlled game and capitalised on the Tigers’ errors.

But Tully hit back in the second half, scoring two quick tries to reduce the margin to 10 points and with half an hour remaining were right back in the game.

"We got an early lead … what we really wanted was a good start but the size of the boys they’ve got and the way they play you can never go to sleep and for a couple of minutes there we went to sleep and they got back into it," Brothers captain-coach Eric Smith said.

Second-rower Tonu Talanoa laid the foundation for many of Tully’s opportunities with several barnstorming runs in the second half, while centre James Coppens was difficult to handle running wide, scoring a try in the 58th minute to put the Tigers in the frame again after Brothers had stretched their buffer once more.

Halfback Stanlie Daniels created opportunities on the fringes on several occasions, especially as Tully’s big men tired and Brothers benefited from his vision, opening a 22-point lead by the 68th minute.

Tully’s Ben Muriata scored his second try inside the final 10 minutes but the win was beyond reach by then.

But Hallie was not disappointed with his side, especially after their dogged second-half fightback.

"Overall I was really happy with the effort and attitude of the boys, they never gave in, but in big games you can’t make errors," he said.

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