For Wingham's captain-coach, Danny Russell, it was a return to the ground that he played on for the last four years as a Pirate.

It looked as if it was going to be a long day when Old Bar Beach ran in two early tries to lead 12-0 after ten minutes.

Then in his first grade debut for the Tigers, Lonny Clark was sin-binned.

Whilst down a player, and against the run of play, Danny Russell put in a chip kick that was recovered by Brodie Myer who off-loaded to Michael Bailey who raced away to score. He converted his own try.

Ten minutes later, Matt Bridge scored in the corner to reduce the deficit to 12-10.

After the half time siren, a penalty kick from Michael Bailey just went wide in the strong wind, but Wingham had worked their way back into the match.

An early second half try to the home team extended the lead to 16-10.

Five minutes later, English import Danny Price put Joel Kliendienst into a hole to score. Danny Russell added the extra points to level the scores at 16-16.

Midway through the stanza, captain-coach Danny Russell stepped past a couple of defenders to force his way over the line to put the Tigers ahead for the first time in the match. He converted his own try for a 22-16 advantage.

Inside the final ten minutes, Old Bar Beach barged their way over for a try. The conversion saw one touch judge with a flag up, and the one closest to the post wave it away, but the referee awarded the goal to level the scores once again.

With just three minutes remaining, Danny Russell slotted a field goal to give Wingham a 23-22 lead.

Under immense pressure on their own goal line, the Tigers held out the home team for a famous victory.

(Michael Bailey, Matt Bridge, Joel Kliendienst, Danny Russell tries, Danny Russell 2, Michael Bailey goals, Danny Russell field goal).

The Reserve Grade game was a mistake-athon in the strong winds.

Cecil Bungie scored first for the Tigers and a 4-0 lead.

The Pirates responded with a try under the posts to take a 6-4 advantage.

Five minutes from half time, Corey Sheehan scored, and Adam Kerr added the extra points.

But the home team added a try just before the break to level the scores at 10-10.

The Pirates score twice early in the second half to lead 22-10.

Midway through the half, Ryan Relf scored from dummy half. Adam Kerr's conversion made the score 22-16.

A try under the posts from Old Bar Beach eight minutes from full time secured a 28-16 win.

(Cecil Bungie, Corey Sheehan, Ryan Relf tries, Adam Kerr 2 goals)

The Wingham Tigers Ladies League Tag team dominated the first half against the Pirates with a try to Layne Watson, converted by Natika Ridgeway, and another to Emma Yarnold in the corner. The visitors led 10-0 at the break.

But Old Bar Beach lifted their intensity in the second half with three tries to run out winners by 14-10.

(Layne Watson, Emma Yarnold tries, Natika Ridgeway goal)

The Wingham Tigers are at home this coming SATURDAY in the local derby against Taree City Bulls. The game was originally scheduled for Sunday, but is definitely on Saturday.