WINGHAM Tigers were at home again on Saturday at the Wingham Sporting Complex against the Port City Breakers, in Group Three Rugby League, a team they had only beaten once since 2007.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Again the Tigers were down a few players, going into the game without Trent Green, Thomas Dooker, Joel Kleindeinst, Shannon Ellem and Tyler Atkins.
Inside the first 10 minutes, Atkins' replacement on the wing, Aaron Bakewell, scored in the corner on a last tackle play.
Midway through the first half, Michael Bailey snapped up an intercept and ran 70 metres to score under the posts. He converted his own try for a 10-0 advantage.
Six minutes from half time, Ben Welsh barged over the line. With Michael Bailey's conversion, Wingham led 16-0 in what was a dominant first half performance.
A 90 metre try against the run of play put Port City on the scoreboard a minute from half time trailing 16-4.
When the Breakers picked up a long range intercept try straight after the break, the scores got closer at 16-10.
Aaron Bakewell scored his second try in the corner, and Wingham led 20-10 midway through the half.
Captain coach Kurt Lewis had to leave the field after having been kneed in the back in a tackle.
Then Port City were awarded a try after Aaron Bakewell jumped to take a bomb. He was taken out high while he was in the air, and the ball landed in the hands of a Port City player for a try.
Minutes later, a chip kick was regathered resulting in a try in the corner, and the home team's lead was just 20-18.
Then with just three minutes remaining, on the last tackle play, the Breakers threw the ball around, and the result was a try beside the posts, making the final score 24-20, inflicting the Tigers' second loss of the season.
Captain-coach Kurt Lewis said the Tigers would have to learn from the defeat, although he pointed out that Wingham did have a number of players out. He also expressed some concerns about the refereeing.
Lewis hopes to have some of his players back for the clash against Taree City at the Jack Neal Oval in a fortnight.
This weekend is the start of the split round.
(Aaron Bakewell 2, Michael Bailey, Ben Welsh tries,
Michael Bailey 2 goals).
Reserve grade
The Reserve Grade competition is very close, with Wingham leading narrowly from a pack of other teams including the Breakers.
A try to Brendan Butler gave the Tigers a 4-0 lead after a quarter of an hour.
A try to Brett Rodgers five minutes later doubled the advantage.
When Justin Berry strolled through for a try, converted by Nick Beacham, Wingham led 14-0.
A try by the visitors five minutes from half time made the score 14-4.
Just after the break, Port City scored in the corner, and with the kick they trailed by 14-10.
But then Ben Griffiths took and intercept and ran 90 metres to score at the other end.
The Breakers then scored making the score 18-16 with a quarter of an hour remaining.
When Justin Berry scored his second try from the scrum base with five minutes remaining, it kept Wingham on top of the table with a 22-16 victory.
(Justin Berry 2, Brendan Butler, Brett Rodgers, Ben Griffiths tries,
Nick Beacham goal)
Under 18s
The Tigers Under 18s had a much needed win to keep them in the top five.
First half tries to Jay Wood and Jesse O'Connor, and a conversion to Ryan Morris made the half time score 10-0.
Ryan Morris scored in the first minute after the break, and added the extra points for a 16-0 advantage.
Then Josh Essery crossed, and with Ryan Morris' conversion, Wingham led 22-0.
When a minor scuffle broke out into an all in brawl, six players were sent off, three from each team.
Port City got on the scoreboard with a try midway through the second half.
A late try to Ryan Morris, which he converted, made the final score 28-4.
(Ryan Morris 2, Jay Wood, Jesse O'Connor, Josh Essery tries,
Ryan Morris 4 goals)
League tag
The women’s league tag team were up against the undefeated competition leaders, Port City, who led 24-0 at the break.
The second half was one way traffic, although the Tigers got on the scoreboard with a penalty goal to Brooke Atkins.
The final score was 62-2.
(Brooke Atkins goal)
The Tigers now have a well deserved week off before the local derby against the Taree City Bulls at Taree on July 9.
The first grade teams will play for the Kristylea Bridge Cup.
This will also be Taree City’s annual fund raiser for the Can Assist group.
Other results
In the other Group Three games played in week 12 Wauchope all but ended Old Bar’s top five hopes with a 34-22 win at Wauchope while Forster-Tuncurry scored a thrilling 28-26 over Taree City at Tuncurry.
Port Macquarie defeated Macleay Valley 42-20 in a fiery clash at Kempsey.
The first grade points table has Port Macquarie and Wingham on top with 29 points from Port City on 25 and Taree City 23.
Wauchope rounds off the five on 21 followed by Macleay Valley 19, Forster-Tuncurry 18 and Old Bar 13.
The reserve grade is a tightly contested affair. Wingham is on top with 27 points from Old Bar and Port Macquarie on 25, Macleay and Port City on 23.
Wauchope has 20 then Taree City 19 and Forster-Tuncurry 14.
Macleay remains unbeaten in the under 18s on 33 points, clear of Taree City and Port Macquarie on 27. Wauchope has 26, Wingham 19, Forster-Tuncurry 16, Old Bar 15 and Port City 12.
Port City continues to lead the league tag competition on 33 points. Taree City follows on 29 then Wauchope 28, Old Bar 25, Forster-Tuncurry 20, Port Macquarie 15, Macleay Valley 15 and Wingham 11.
In matches this week Forster-Tuncurry plays Wauchope on Saturday at the Harry Elliott Oval at Tuncurry while Old Bar will host Port Macquarie, also on Saturday.
On Sunday Macleay Valley meets Port City at Verge Street Oval, Kempsey.