Cold and windy conditions were faced by the Wingham Tigers and the Wauchope Blues at the Wingham Sporting Complex on Sunday.
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It was a crucial game with both teams equal second on the competition table.
Both teams struggled under the conditions with plenty of dropped ball.
Just after the midway point of the first half, the Tigers got on the scoreboard with a last play crossfield kick to the wing near half way. Fletcher Lewis caught the ball and beat a few players before another kick saw Brodie Myer retrieve the ball and score near the posts. With Michael Bailey's conversion, Wingham led 6-0.
Right on the half time siren, Wauchope scored in the corner to reduce the deficit to 6-4.
Five minutes after the break, a chip kick was retrieved by Michael Bailey, who put through another kick. Again, Brodie Myer touched down out wide. From near the sideline, Michael Bailey converted the try for a 12-4 advantage.
Five minutes later, the Blues found a hole in the defence to score a converted try.
With just over a quarter of an hour remaining in the game, a high kick on the final tackle was spilled by the Wauchope defender, and Lonny Clarke was able to plant his hand on the ball for a try, giving the Tigers a 16-10 lead.
Inside the final ten minutes, Danny Price attempted a field goal that just went wide.
Wauchope then had a seven tackle set from their own 20 metre line, and then received a penalty. From the tap kick, Wingham's defence was busted for a try under the posts which, after the conversion, levelled the scores at 16-16 with four minutes remaining.
The visitors went close to scoring in the corner, but were held up.
A late field goal attempt was charged down, and the Tigers held on for the draw.
(Brodie Myer 2, Lonny Clarke tries, Michael Bailey 2 goals)
Reserve Grade
The Reserve Grade game was also crucial with both teams equal third on the competition table.
Again the conditions made it a scrappy game.
Wingham raced to an 18-0 lead after ten minutes with tries to Michael Richards, Garyn Burns and Jesse Pietrzak, all converted by Adam Kerr.
The tide swung, and the Blues hit back with two converted tries to trail 18-12 at half time.
About ten minutes after the break, Shaun Carr-Weldon scored in the corner, and then Codey Green in the opposite corner to extend the lead to 26-12.
Inside the final ten minutes, Ben Donovan charged over near the posts. Adam Kerr's conversion made the score 32-12.
A late try to Wauchope made the final score 32-16.
(Michael Richards, Garyn Burnes, Jesse Pietrzak, Shaun Carr-Weldon, Codey Green, Ben Donovan tries, Adam Kerr 4 goals)
League Tag
The Wingham Tigers Ladies' League Tag team put in a courageous performance against the second placed Wauchope Blues.
The first half saw the visitors score three tries to lead 16-0 at the break.
But Wingham hit back in the second half with tries to Layne Watson and Amy Evans, the latter converted by Brooke Atkins, to make the score 16-10.
The Blues retaliated with a converted try to increase their lead to 22-10.
With five minutes remaining, Amy Evans scored her second try.
A late try to Wauchope gave them victory by 28-14.
(Amy Evans 2, Layne Watson tries, Brooke Atkins goal)
Next game
The Wingham Tigers are at home again this coming Saturday at the Wingham Sporting Complex against the Port City Breakers.