THE preliminary semi-final (2nd vs 3rd) was played at the Wingham Sporting Complex on Sunday, and it was the Wingham Tigers against the Port City Breakers.
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The home team went into the game without their leading try-scorer Tim Bridge, who was nursing an ankle injury from the previous week.
The Tigers were on the scoreboard first when Kurt Lewis stepped through the defence to score. Michael Bailey converted the try for a 6-0 lead.
Minutes later, a cross field kick by Kurt Lewis was retrieved by Brodie Myer, who passed inside to Michael Rees. Again Michael Bailey added the extra points to extend the lead to 12-0.
Midway through the half, Port City retaliated with back-to-back tries to level the scores at 12-12.
Then Shannon Ellem barged his way over the line to put Wingham ahead. The conversion by Michael Bailey made the score 18-12.
Ten minutes later, the game was spoiled when Michael Richards was sent off on touch judge's report. The video of the incident shows that he was not guilty of any wrong doing.
From the resulting penalty, the Breakers went in for a try, levelling the scores at half time.
Against just twelve players, Port City scored five minutes after the break with a try off a last play.
Midway through the half, a penalty goal put the visitors eight points ahead.
With ten minutes remaining, another Breakers try gave them a 32-18 advantage.
This was backed up with another try five minutes later to seal victory.
In the final minute of the game, Shannon Ellem barged over for his second try. Michael Bailey's conversion made the final score 36-24.
The Tigers were gallant in their efforts, and now are in the position of sudden-death football in the minor semi-final on Saturday against the Taree City Bulls.
(Shannon Ellem 2, Kurt Lewis, Michael Rees tries, Michael Bailey 4 goals.)
The Wingham Tigers Reserve Grade team played the Port Macquarie Sharks.
An early try to the Sharks gave them a 6-0 lead. Five minutes later, Wingham looked to have scored, only to it being ruled a knock-on. Then another converted try to the visitors doubled their advantage.
A penalty goal to Port Macquarie made the score 14-0 before Justin Mills was sin-binned leading into the break.
The Sharks added another converted try inside the first ten minutes of the second half to extend their lead to 20-0. This was backed up straight away by another four pointer.
As tensions grew, Nick Beacham was sin-binned ten minutes from full time. The resulting penalty made the score 26-0. A late try to Port Macquarie gave them victory by 30-0.
The Tigers Reserve Grade will also play knock-out football in the minor semi-final on Saturday against the Port City Breakers.
The minor semi-final will be played on Saturday at the Wingham Sporting Complex. The League Tag game between Wauchope and Old Bar Beach starts at 10.55am, followed by Under 18s, Port Macquarie versus Wauchope. The Tigers then play in Reserve Garde at 1.25pm, with the big game between Wingham and Taree City kicking off at 3pm.
Come out and support your local team on Saturday.