Wingham remains alive in the Group Three rugby league first grade competition after a 12-point win over Camden Haven in a sometimes-fiery elimination semi final last Sunday.
The game was played at the Wingham Sporting Complex just two weeks after the Tigers had a strong 54-6 victory over the Eagles, but it was a rejuvenated Camden Haven outfit after they forfeited the week before to freshen up for the finals.
An early Matt Halliday try was matched by the Eagles with a chip and chase to score in the corner to level the scores at 4-4.
The Tigers lost Dave Corbet with a dislocated shoulder inside the first 10 minutes. Luke Steel scored in the corner midway through the first half. Camden Haven were quick to respond to again level the scores at 8-8.
The home team forged ahead again when Brent Dawson collected an inside ball to score near the posts. Luke Steel added the extra points to go to a 14-8 lead.
Eight minutes from the break, Robert Moi Moi was sent to the sin-bin. The Tigers held their advantage until half time.
In the first minute of the second half, the Eagles scored to again level the scores.
Five minutes later, Luke Steel scored in the scoreboard corner, and then kicked the conversion from the sideline for a 20-14 advantage. Josh Watson then put Corey Sheehan in for a try. Luke Steel added the extra points to make the score 26-14.
Midway through the second stanza, the visitors hit back with another try. An all-in brawl followed the try. With the conversion, Camden Haven trailed by just six points.
Captain-coach Nigel Latham then ran the blindside from dummy half for a Tiger try. Luke Steel’s kick made the score 32-20.
Another blindside raid led to another Luke Steel try, and a lead of 16 points with less than 10 minutes remaining. But as they did all game, the Eagles hit back with another converted try.
When Matt Halliday put Brent Dawson in for his second try, victory was secured. With Luke Steel’s kick, Wingham led 42-26.
A try to Camden Haven from a chip kick off a scrum win in the final seconds made the final score 42-30.
Reserves out
THE season is over for the Wingham Tigers reserve grade after a two-point loss in a nail-biting elimination semi-final.
Like first grade, the reserves were up against Camden Haven at the Wingham Sporting Complex and the game got off to a controversial start when the Tigers had an early try disallowed when the referee called a forward pass.
Minutes later, Adam Kerr scored for the home team and a 4-0 lead.
The Tigers defence was strong, holding off the Eagles again and again.
Five minutes from half time, Troy Fry crossed for Wingham. With the conversion by Tim Rees, the lead was 10-0 at the break.
The second half saw Camden Haven camped in Tiger territory. With just 12 minutes remaining, a controversial try to the Eagles was awarded when the dummy half dived over, despite the Wingham makers being taken out of play. The conversion made the score 10-6. Inside the final five minutes, following a stripping penalty, Camden Haven scored again. The conversion put them ahead 12-10 with time running out.
With just seconds remaining, the Tigers got a penalty close to the Eagles goal line. The shot at goal just missed, and the Wingham reserve grade team was eliminated from the competition.
Heavy loss
THE Wingham Tigers under 18s were soundly beaten by the Port City Breakers in their preliminary semi final (second verse third)) on Saturday at Port Macquarie.
Wingham looked to have scored in the first 10 minutes from a bomb, but it was ruled to have been knocked on.
Five minutes later, the home team scored, and then another five minutes later, a second try made the score 10-0.
Then the Tigers had another try disallowed from a grubber kick.
Shortly afterwards, Joel Wilson scored his tenth try of the season when he reached out to put the ball over the goal line.
Trailing 10-4 with just seconds before the half time break, Wingham’s hopes were dashed with a soft Port City try under the posts. Up to this time, the Tigers were still in the contest.
In the first set after the break, the Breakers kicked a 40-20. From the scrum win, the home team scored to lead 20-4.
Then back-to-back tries put Port City ahead 32-4 within the first quarter of an hour of the second half. Two more tries to the Breakers gave them a comprehensive 42-4 victory.
Next round
This Saturday, Wingham first grade will play the Forster Tuncurry Hawks at Harry Elliot Oval at Tuncurry at 3pm, while the under 18s play Taree City, also at Tuncurry at 11am.
The Tigers’ presentation night will be held on Saturday September 12 at Wingham Bowling Club.
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