Derby victory seals semi-final spot

It was an important game for both teams - for Wingham to seal a semi-final spot; for Taree City to stay in the race for the finals.

The Bulls were first to score inside ten minutes on their first excursion into Wingham territory to lead 4-0.

But the Tigers hit straight back with a try to Jake Mullen, converted by Michael Bailey, for a 6-4 advantage.

Midway through the half, Fletcher Lewis scored in the corner, and Michael Bailey added the sideline conversion for a 12-4 lead.

Taree City retaliated with back-to-back tries, both on last tackle plays, to hit the front by 14-12.

A try to Brodie Myer about five minutes from half time put the Tigers ahead again. Michael Bailey's kick made the score 18-14 at the break.

The lead changed again five minutes after the break when the home team scored again to make the score 20-18.

Wingham looked to have scored when Lonny Clarke dived on a kick in the ingoal area, only to have the referee rule a knock-on.

Half way through the second stanza, Danny Price scored under the posts from a scrum win. Michael Bailey had no problems with the extra points.

With just over ten minutes remaining, Michael Bailey was able to get back in the field of play following a kick. Danny Price got into dummy half, and sprinted down the blindside, running almost a hundred metres to score in the corner. Michael Bailey converted the try from the sideline for Wingham to lead 30-20.

The Tigers held on to seal a semi-final spot. Danny Price was named Man of the Match.

(Danny Price 2, Jake Mullen, Fletcher Lewis, Brodie Myer tries, Michael Bailey 5 goals)

The Reserve Grade game went down to the final siren.

The home team led 6-0 early after an intercept.

Then tries to Tate Grofos and Ben Donovan, the first converted by Adam Kerr, gave Wingham a 10-6 lead.

Taree City forged ahead with another try.

Brock Howard scored in the corner to give the Tigers a small lead at the break by 14-12.

Tate Grofos and Brandon Clarke scored inside the first ten minutes of the second half, the latter converted by Ben Griffiths to go ahead 24-12.

The Bulls hit back with two converted tries to level the scores at 24-24 with ten minutes remaining.

A late penalty goal to Ben Griffiths was enough to get the Tigers home by 26-24.

(Tate Grofos 2, Ben Donovan, Brock Howard, Brandon Clarke tries, Ben Griffiths 2, Adam Kerr goals)

The Wingham Tigers League Tag girls were desperate for a win to stay in contention for the finals.

Early tries to Lily Murray and Jonty Hemmingway, both conveyed by Brooke Atkins gave Wingham a 12-0 lead inside the first ten minutes.

But the Bulls struck back with two converted tries to level the scores at 12-12.

The game was tipped in Wingham’s favour when Layne Watson scored three tries in five minutes, two before the break, and the other just after. Brooke Atkins converted them all for a 30-12 advantage.

But Taree City came back. A try soon after reduced the deficit to 30-18.

Another try two minutes from full time kept them in the game. The conversion attempt from wide out hit the crossbar.

Wingham held on to win 30-22.

(Layne Watson 3, Lily Murray, Jonty Hemmingway tries, Brooke Atkins 5 goals)

The Wingham Tigers are at home this coming Saturday at the Wingham Sporting Complex against the Port Macquarie Sharks. This is the final round of the Group 3 Rugby League competition before the finals.