The advantage that the Tigers had was that the game was being played at the Wingham Sporting Complex.

It was the home team that scored first with a try by Blake Sky, playing at half-back for Trent Green who was unavailable for the game. Michael Bailey added the conversion for a 6-0 lead.

At the ten minute mark, with Wingham attacking, a grubber kick was picked up by the Mustang winger who ran 90 metres to score at the other end, levelling the scores.

Midway through the first half, Wingham went ahead when Michael Richards pounced on a grubber kick in the in-goal. With Michael Bailey's kick, the Tigers led 12-6.

Again Macleay Valley responded when their fullback jumped high to catch a bomb into the corner to make the score 12-10.

Five minutes later, Blake Sky scored under the posts following a break by Brodie Myer. There were no problems with the conversion.

Right on half time, Adam Dale barged his way over beside the posts, and Michael Bailey's kick made the score 24-10 at the break.

The visitors scored early in the second half with a chip kick over the defence resulting in a try in the corner.

Another try ten minutes later after a 40-20 kick, and a penalty, put the Mustangs on the attack, reducing the deficit to 24-20.

Soon after, Aaron Bakewell has a try disallowed, before Joel Kleindeinst burst through from a scrum win to score a try. Michael Bailey kept up his perfect record with his kicking.

Five minutes later, the game erupted after a head high tackle on Tim Bridge. The Macleay Valley offender was sent off, and Shannon Ellem was sin-binned.

From the next set, Michael Bailey was denied a try after the last pass was ruled forward.

Inside the last ten minutes, the Mustangs scored off the last play from a grubber kick into the in-goal area. The conversion made the score 30-26.

Despite the razzle dazzle football by the opposition, Wingham held on for victory.

(Blake Sky 2, Michael Richards, Adam Dale, Joel Kleindeinst tries,

Michael Bailey 5 goals)

In the reserve grade game Macleay Valley scored an early try to lead 6-0.

But back to back tries by Fletcher Lewis and Brendan Butler, the latter converted by Fletcher Lewis gave Wingham a 10-6 advantage.

With ten minutes remaining in the half, Daniel Thorpe scored in the corner, and Fletcher Lewis' sideline conversion made the score 16-6.

Just before the break, a chip and chase led to a Mustangs try reducing the deficit to 16-12.

A try to Nick Beacham in the first minute of the second stanza made the score 20-12.

Again Macleay Valley responded with a try in the corner.

Then Jay Wood crashed over for the Tigers for a 24-18 advantage.

Two tries by Nick Beacham in the last quarter of an hour, the second converted by Fletcher Lewis made the final score 34-18.

(Nick Beacham 3, Fletcher Lewis, Brendan Butler, Daniel Thorpe, Jay Wood tries,

Fletcher Lewis 3 goals)

There were plenty of points in the Under 18s game, with Macleay Valley scoring two early tries, before Callum Wesley score in the corner to make the score 12-4 inside the first ten minutes.

The Mustangs scored again, before a heated exchange between the teams saw a player from each team sent off, and Shane Morecome sin-binned.

The Tigers lost their way, and conceded 4 tries in the next ten minutes to trail 36-4 at half time.

Right after the break, Callum Wesley scored his second try, and Blade Thorpe added the extra points.

The visitors responded with back to back tries to extend the lead to 48-10 five minutes into the second half.

With 10 minutes remaining, Blade Thorpe scored a try, which he converted.

Again the Mustangs responded straight away with another try before Callum Wesley scored his third try for the Tigers.

A try from dummy half to Macleay Valley gave them a 56-20 victory.

(Callum Wesley 3, Blade Thorpe tries, Blade Thorpe 2 goals)

The Tigers' women’s league tag team went within minutes of winning their first game, with a late try to the Mustangs robbing the home team of victory.

An early try gave Macleay Valley a 4-0 lead.

But then Layne Watson scored in the corner after a Natalie Watson break.

Minutes later, Lucy Noonan scored in the corner for an 8-6 lead.

Just before half time, Jonty Hemmingway scored in the corner to make the score 12-4 at the break.

Ten minutes into the second half, a lucky bounce from a kick on the last tackle put the Mustangs within reach at 12-10.

Then the late try under the posts gave the visitors a 16-12 win, with both teams scoring three tries.

(Layne Watson, Lucy Noonan, Jonty Hemmingway tries)

Next Saturday is going to be a huge day at the Wingham Sporting Complex. Not only will the Tigers be playing the premiers and competition leaders, Port City Breakers, but there will be a reunion of the Wingham’s 1997 first and reserve grade premiership winning teams..

What a fantastic night of junior league at the Wingham Sporting Complex.

Just like their NRL heroes, the under sevens Black, under eights and nines Mini League teams and the under 14s, got the chance to play night footy, and didn't they turn it on, with both the Wingham Tigers and Old Bar Pirates scoring some great tries, and tackling hard every time someone took the ball up. A terrific crowd turned out to watch our future NRL stars run around, so thank you to all the parents, players and supporters who attended.

Helen Cross and the canteen crew, have had a massive couple of weeks, backing up on Friday and Saturdays, and also hosting the gala day.

“We look forward to hosting more Friday night footy this week,’’ Wingham Junior League president Darrin Lewis said.

Under eights

The under eights were at home to Old Bar Blue. The boys were keen to impress as this was there first taste of Friday night footy for 2017. In front of a great home crowd the boys came out firing and were up four tries to 0 after the first quarter. Brayden Turner, Nick Periera and Kayden Buddle led from the front with strong runs while Tyler Dale, Andreas Bellenger and Zac Moore did some very good things in attack and defence. Riley Schafer and Corey Beattie were awesome in defence, tackling anything that came their way and Taj Rogers and Nate Welsh put the icing on the cake with smart finishes to sets, scoring a couple of tries each. The final score was Wingham 9, Old Bar Blue 3. Try scorers Taj Rogers 2, Nate Welsh 2, Riley Schafer 2 with Corey Beattie, Kayden Buddle and Nick Periera one each. Taj Rogers kicked a goal. Player of the match went to Nate Welsh

Under nines

Wingham Tigers nines played Old Bar Pirates and with the big crowd at the sporting complex, they were pumped to get on the... field.

Jerome Bramble was captain and he led the boys well with great defence and awesome running of the ball. Mitchell Dawson, Oscar Platt, Leslie Garvey, Cayden Glass, Scott Thrift and Hayden Powers were outstanding, defending hard and making meters with the ball. The boys are playing well and every week they are improving. Wingham 7 tries to Old Bar Pirates 1 try (Keanu Moi Moi 2, Samuel Lewis 2, Mitchel Dawson ,Laine Paulson, Hayden Powers.) 

Under 16s

Wingham have played three games in the last two weeks with two wins and a loss

All games were pretty much the same with a strong first half but players losing their way in the second.  Sticking to game plan and discipline seem to be the problem after the break. The Tigers beat Forster-Tuncurry 20-8 and Port City 18-14 but went down to Taree Panthers 26-20.

Again we went home with a sour taste in our mouths after our second half performance against Taree. The Tigers were the better side again but let down by discipline and penalty count.

On Friday night Wingham meets Wauchope at Wauchope and if we put two consistent halves together we can take the points after losing by two points in the first round at Wauchope.