Wingham Tigers faced the challenge of travelling to the Regional Stadium at Port Macquarie to take on Group Three Rugby League premiers in the Port City Breakers who went through last season undefeated, and remain that way in 2018.
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And the home team started well with a try in the first minute to lead 6-0.
Another try five minutes later from a last tackle kick extended the margin to 10-0.
The Tigers lost front-rower Blake Fraser early in the game through injury, and he was unable to return to the field.
Just as Wingham seemed to be clawing their way back into the match, a charge down from a kick bounced up for the Breakers to take a 14-0 lead with another try.
Another try just before the break from a kick into the in-goal area on the last tackle made the half time score 20-0, with three of the four tries coming from kicks.
Wingham were denied a try early in the second half with the referee calling a knock-on.
Minutes later, the Tigers bombed a certain try after Danny Price chipped, regathered and off-loaded, only to see the ball go to ground with the goal line wide open.
To add insult to injury, the home team crossed again after Wingham lost the ball on the first tackle inside their own 20.
The Breakers led 26-0.
Another error led to a try to Port City midway through the stanza increased the margin to 30-0.
Five minutes later, a try from dummy half made the score 36-0.
But the Tigers never gave up, and were rewarded when Danny Price scored from a Danny Russell bomb to make the final score 36-4.
After losing Blake Fraser early, Wingham played most of the game with just 14 players after a bruising Reserve Grade game took toll on the reserves bench.
(Danny Price try)
Reserve Grade
With many players unavailable for the Reserve Grade game, a depleted Tigers took on Port City who scored early to lead 6-0.
Against the run of play, Mitchell Jobson forced his way over next to the posts. The try was converted by Adam Kerr to level the scores at 6-6.
Five minutes later, the Breakers went ahead again with a converted try to lead 12-6. Another try to the home team made the half time score 16-6 in a game dominated by Port City.
A quarter of an hour into the second half, a try by Adam Kerr running from dummy half on the last tackle kept Wingham in the game.
He converted his own try to reduce the deficit to 16-12. Five minutes later, the home team went further ahead with another try to lead by eight points.
With just 4 minutes remaining, Ben Donovan barged over for a try for the Tigers to trail 20-16. A penalty gave Wingham field position, followed by another penalty after the full time siren.
From the tap kick, Adam Kerr was able to cross the line for his second try to level the scores. He then converted his try to give the Tigers an unlikely victory by 22-20.
(Adam Kerr 2, Mitchell Jobson, Ben Donovan tries, Adam Kerr 3 goals)
League Tag
The Wingham Tigers Ladies League Tag team were outplayed by the classy Port City team who lead 28-0 at half time with five tries.
The home team were only able to add two more tries in the second half to win 38-0.
This Saturday, will see the Tigers at home at the Wingham Sporting Complex against the Macleay Valley Mustangs.
League Tag starts at 12.20pm, followed by Reserve Grade, with First Grade kicking off at 2.30pm.
It is also an Old Boys Day.
Any former Wingham Tigers' players are invited to join the Old Boys Club, which you can do on Saturday.
For more information, call Wayne Goward on 0478 079 174.
