FIRST GRADE
The Wingham Tigers will meet the Camden Haven Eagles in the elimination semi-final at the Wingham Sporting Complex in two weeks.
The Tigers secured the home semi after a crushing win over the Eagles at Laurieton on Saturday in the second last round of the Group Three Rugby League competition.
All games were crucial in the lead up to the finals series.
The first grade game was particularly important, with Wingham in fourth position, just two points clear of the Eagles.
A Tigers’ win would secure a home semi-final against Camden Haven in a fortnight.
The visitors were looking for a good start, and they achieved this when Joe Southwell barged over for a try in the first minute.
Luke Steel’s conversion gave Wingham a 6-0 lead.
Minutes later, a planned move from a scrum win saw Corey Sheehan score near the posts without a hand touching him.
With the conversion, the lead was extended to 12-0.
Five minutes later, captain-coach Nigel Latham took an intercept to score adjacent to the posts.
Steel had no problems with the kick for an 18-0 advantage.
When Latham scored his second try in five minutes, again converted by Steel, the Tigers led by 24-0 by midway though the first half.
But there was more to come.
Jake Goward forced his way over the goal line next to the posts.
With the extra points, Wingham’s advantage was now 30 points.
Then the Eagles found themselves in attack, and a try from dummy half on the last tackle under the posts put them on the scoreboard trailing 30-6.
A penalty goal to Steel right on half time made the score 32-6 at the break.
Early in the second stanza, Andrew Gilbert scored under the posts from dummy half.
Camden Haven offered more resistance until midway through the half when Daniel Buck scored in the corner.
Steel kept a perfect record with the boot with a sideline conversion for a 44-6 lead.
Ten minutes later, Josh Watson put his name on the try scorers list.
With the conversion, the Tigers had reached a half century.
Steel then scored in the corner inside of the last five minutes.
He failed with his conversion attempt (his only miss of the evening), but Wingham were victorious by 54-6, and will face the Eagles again in the elimination semi-final at the Wingham Sporting Complex in two weeks.
Tries: Nigel Latham (2), Joe Southwell, Corey Sheehan, Jake Goward, Andrew Gilbert, Daniel Buck, Josh Watson, Luke Steel.
Goals: Luke Steel (9).
RESERVE GRADE
The elimination semi-final in reserve grade will also be fought out between Wingham and Camden Haven, with the Tigers already having secured fourth spot prior to this game.
An early penalty to Tim Rees gave Wingham a 2-0 lead.
Midway through the first half, Mark Knoke crossed out wide to extend the lead to six points.
Minutes later, a Cody Green try extended the lead to 10-0.
But two tries to the Eagles in the final eight minutes of the first stanza levelled the scores 10-10 at the break.
Adam Kerr ran through to score under the posts early in the second half.
Aaron Green scored from a scrum win inside the final 10 minutes.
Tim Rees converted the try to lead 26-14.
Another try to Knoke made the final score 30-14.
Tries: Mark Knoke (2), Adam Kerr (2), Cody Green, Aaron Green.
Goals: Tim Rees (3).
NDER 18s
The road to the semi-finals for the under 18s hangs in the balance after a 30-16 loss to the Camden Haven Eagles.
A win could have elevated the young Tigers to third on the competition table, but the loss means that there is the danger of missing out on the finals altogether.
A try to the Eagles was countered by one by Kurtis Millikan to level the scores at 6-6 midway through the first half.
Camden Haven went ahead again for a short time until Jamie Hartland scored.
With Trent Grofos’s conversion, the scores were level at 12-12 at the break.
Two more tries to the Eagles in the first quarter of an hour of the second half gave the home team a 24-12 lead.
Then Nick Beacham crossed to give the Tigers a chance.
Minutes later, Beacham was denied another try by a controversial refereeing decision.
Camden Haven took advantage with a late try to win 30-16.
Tries: Kurtis Milliken, Jamie Hartland, Nick Beacham.
Goals: Trent Grofos (2).
LEAGUE TAG
The Tigers’ women’s league tag team is also on a tight rope to make the semi-finals after their 3-1 loss to the Eagles.
The home team led 1-0 at the break.
Kaycha Mills levelled the scores early in the second half.
The Eagles went ahead again midway through the stanza.
A try in the final seconds to Camden Haven secured their victory by three tries to one.
Try: Kaycha Mills.
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