THE Wingham Tigers first grade side scored another half century of points for the fourth time this season to defeat rivals Taree City Bulls by 54-24 at the Wingham Sporting Complex on Saturday.
The Tigers were on the scoreboard after ten minutes when Joe Southwell scored under the posts, with Michael Davis converting for a 6-0 lead.
Minutes later, Luke Steel scored in the corner to make the score 10-0. Two tries to Nathan Davis in the scoreboard corner, the second converted by Josh Watson from the sideline, increased the lead to 20-0 with ten minutes remaining in the first half.
A late try to Taree City from a knock-on made the half time score 20-6 in favour of the home team.
Two more tries to Wingham within five minutes of the break increased the lead to 32-6. The first was by Josh Watson, which he converted. The other was by Nigel Latham who scored from a scrum win.
The Tigers dropped their intensity, allowing the Bulls to score twice to bring the scores closer at 32-18.
But Nathan Davis made it a hat-trick of tries midway through the second stanza when he picked up a loose ball and ran 50 metres to score. Josh Watson added the extra points.
When Matt Halliday crossed out wide five minutes later, the victory was assured. Josh Watson kicked the goal from the sideline to make the score 44-18.
Taree City responded with another converted try to reduce the deficit to 20 points.
Then late tries by Nigel Latham from dummy half, and Adam Dale, also from dummy half, and the conversion from Michael Richards, made the final score 54-24.
Wingham Tigers 54 (Davis 3, Latham 2, Southwell, Steel, Watson, Halliday, Dale tries, Watson 4, Davis 2, Richards goals) beat Taree City Bulls 24.
Reserve grade victorious
THE Wingham reserve grade team also recorded a victory, defeating Taree City 36-30. It was the first time this season that the Tigers reserves had beaten a team higher than them on the competition table.
Brendan Butler and Shane Sweeney tries saw the Tigers lead 8-0 inside the first ten minutes.
The Bulls then scored a converted try on a last tackle play.
Tom Bakewell added another Wingham try, again in the corner.
Five minutes from the break, Taree City scored under the posts to level the scores 12-12.
A late try to Richard Roberts from dummy half put the Tigers ahead. With Adam Kerr’s conversion, the home team led by 18-12 at half time.
The Bulls dominated the first quarter of an hour of the second half, scoring three tries to lead 26-18.
A try by Jake Goward, converted by Adam Kerr kept the Tigers in the game.
Five minutes later, Corey Sheehan, returning from injury, put Wingham ahead. Adam Kerr converted the try from the sideline to give the Tigers a 30-26 advantage.
When Jamie Livermore scored under the posts with five minutes remaining, Wingham looked home. Adam Kerr’s conversion made the score 36-26.
A try by the visitors right on the full time siren was not enough, and the Tigers were victorious by 36-30.
Under 18s win again
THE Wingham Tigers under 18s maintained their undefeated status in the Group 3 rugby league competition with a 44-12 win over Taree City on the weekend.
Joel Wilson scored early, but then Taree City scored twice to lead 12-4 midway through the first half.
But then three tries to the Tigers in ten minutes, by Jarryd Cameron, James Orrock and Alex Studdart, all converted by Matt Bridge, made the half-time score 22-12.
Wingham dominated the second half with tries to Jarryd Cameron, Michael Rees, Joel Wilson and Trent Grofos, with three goals to Matt Bridge.
The final score was 44-12 in a game that was closer than the scores indicated.
Wingham Tigers under 18s 44 (Wilson 2, Cameron 2, Grofos, Orrock, Studdart, Rees tries, Bridge 6 goals) beat Taree City Bulls 12.
League tag side outplayed
THE only Wingham loss on the weekend was in the Women’s League Tag, the side beaten 8-0 by Taree City after trailing 3-0 at half time.
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