FIRST GRADE
Jack Neal Oval at Taree was the venue for a vital Group 3 Rugby League game for the Wingham Tigers as the race for the semi-finals heats up.
They were without captain-coach Nigel Latham for the clash.
The opposition was the Hallidays Point Makos.
Even though they were at the bottom of the table, their previous game was a 42-42 draw with competition leaders Wauchope.
The Makos boast a team with several ex-NRL players.
Hallidays Point was on the scoreboard early with a converted try under the posts.
The Tigers were back on level terms after a quarter of an hour after Dave Corbet barged over.
Luke Steel converted the try.
Minutes later, Wingham went ahead with a try to Corey Sheehan.
Again, Steel added the extra points for a 12-6 lead.
The scores were tied again midway through the half after a controversial penalty against the Tigers while in possession.
This led to another converted Makos try.
Five minutes later, Wingham went ahead again by 16-12 with a try to Matt Halliday out wide.
As Wingham was attacking again, the ball went to ground and was swooped on by a Hallidays Point player who ran 80 metres to score under the posts.
The conversion gave them an 18-16 lead.
A couple of minutes before the break, Josh Watson changed the angle of attack, and scored near the posts.
Steel added the points for the conversion, and the Tigers led again by 22-18.
But the scoring hadn’t finished, with the Makos scoring out wide in the final seconds to level the scores at 22-22 at halftime.
Wingham went on the attack early in the second stanza, with a disallowed try by Steel.
Then Matt Halliday scored back-to-back tries inside 10 minutes to give the Tigers a 32-22 lead.
But Hallidays Point responded with two tries in three minutes to level the scores at 32-32 midway through the half.
Inside the last quarter of an hour, veteran Brenden Summerfield barged his way over the try line beside the posts.
Steel’s kick gave Wingham a 38-32 advantage.
There was still more drama to come.
With five minutes remaining, another try to the Makos levelled the scores at 38-38.
Inside the last minute, Josh Watson put the Tigers ahead 39-38 with a field goal.
To add to the tension, the second half went one and a half minutes overtime before the final siren, with Wingham victorious by the smallest margin.
Tries: Matt Halliday (3), Dave Corbet, Corey Sheehan, Josh Watson, Brenden Summerfield.
Goals: Luke Steel (5) Josh Watson (1 field goal).
UNDER 18s
The Under 18s were too strong for the Makos, who were on the bottom of the competition table.
Wingham scored six tries and kicked just one conversion in the first half to lead 26-0. Scorers were Joel Wilson, Kurtis Millikan, Trent Grofos, Nick Beacham, and a double to Jake Manly.
Hallidays Point scored a soft try from dummy half early in the second half to make the score 26-4.
Then the procession of Tigers tries continued with Jamie Hartland, a double to Jesse Pietrzak, another to Wilson. Tim Watson and Manly also added to the score.
Grofos added another conversion, as did Hartland.
The young Tigers scored some good tries against a tiring defence.
The game ended with an all-in brawl, and a final score line of 54-4 in Wingham’s favour.
Tries: Jake Manly (3), Joel Wilson (2), Jesse Pietrzak (2), Kurtis Millikan, Trent Grofos, Nick Beacham, Jamie Hartland, Tim Watson.
Goals: Trent Grofos (2), Jamie Hartland.
WOMEN'S LEAGUE TAG
The Women’s League Tag resulted in a 5-1 victory to the Tigers after leading 1-0 at the break with a try to Kaycha Mills.
An early try to Caitlin Williams in the second half was responded to soon after by the Makos.
Wingham then had three more tries to Katelyn Morgan, Rhiannon Fuller and Courtley Mancell.
Tries: Kaycha Mills, Caitlin Williams, Katelyn Morgan, Rhiannon Fuller, Courtley Mancell.
RESERVE GRADE
The Reserve Grade squad had the luxury of a bye after Hallidays Point withdrew from the competition a few weeks ago.
NEXT GAMES
The Wingham Tigers play on home soil this Saturday at the Wingham Sporting Complex.
The under 18s take on Old Bar at 12.35pm before the reserve graders play Forster at 1.45pm.
Women’s league tag and first grade both take on the Old Bar Pirates at 3.10pm and 4pm respectively.
FAMILY EVENT
The whole community is invited to take part in a family bowls, steak and pasta day this Sunday at the Wingham Bowling Club.
The Wingham Tigers are organising the social event which will include a few friendly games of bowls, Sing Star karaoke competitions and face painting for the kids.
Teams of four are needed. All ages and skill levels are welcome.
The fun event kicks off at 10am and will run into the afternoon.
If you are interested in joining in, put your name down at the club in Combined Street or come along on Sunday.
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