It was the last home game for the Wingham Tigers at the Regional Australia Bank Stadium on Saturday for the annual charity game against the competition leaders, the Old Bar Beach Pirates.
First Grade
The Tigers were celebrating 150 First Grade games to Matt Bridge and Joel Kliendienst. As usual, it was a tough encounter. The scores were locked at 10-10 at the break after the Pirates led 4-0 after a quarter of an hour.
Ten minutes later, Ethan Ferguson scored, and converted his own try.
Joel Kliendienst scored in the corner, before Old Bar levelled the scores just on half time. A try to Harry Lewis 5 minutes into the second half put Wingham ahead. Ethan Ferguson added the extra points. Five minutes later, the visitors levelled the scores 16-16 with a try under the posts from a scrum win. Midway through the stanza, the Tigers took a penalty right in front of the posts to lead 18-16. Tempers frayed as several blow-ups occurred. Wingham defended stoutly.
The visitors looked to have scored late in the game from dummy half, but Wingham were awarded a penalty. Inside the last minute, Old Bar dropped the ball, and Wingham held on for victory against the competition favourites.
(Ethan Ferguson, Joel Kliendienst, Harry Lewis tries, Ethan Ferguson 3 goals)
Reserve Grade
The Reserve Grade game began almost an hour late following a serious injury at the end of the Under 18s game. The Pirates led 10-0 midway through the first half with two tries. Just before the break, Jacob Cross scored in the corner, and Jacob Smith kicked the side line conversion. Old Bar extended their lead after the break with a try from a chip and chase to lead 16-6. Five minutes later, Hayden Kriss scored in the corner. With just five minutes remaining, Cameron Oliver scored in the corner, and Jacob Smith again converted from the sideline to level the scores at 16-16.
The Tigers dropped the ball from the kick-off, which gave the visitors a chance, which they took right on full time to snatch a 22-16 victory.
(Jacob Cross, Hayden Kriss, Cameron Oliver tries, Jacob Smith 3 goals)
Under 18s
The Under 18s contest was expected to be close, with Old Bar equal second on the table, and Wingham 4th, although just one point behind.
The Tigers went ahead after ten minutes with a converted try to Zac Schafer.
The visitors scored five minutes later to make the score 6-4.
Ten minutes from the break, Mason Lewis scored in the corner, and Luke Croker kicked the sideline conversion to take a 12-4 lead into the break.
The second half saw Wingham dominate.
Back to back tries to Zac Schafer and Josh Hopkins made the score 24-4.
The Brayden Livermore scored in the corner, and Luke Croker converted from the sideline to make it 30-4 midway through the second half.
Inside the final ten minutes, Ricky Carrington ran 50 metres to score, followed by tries to Mason Lewis and Tai Urquhart.
Luke Croker kicked all 8 conversions in a dominant win, moving the Tigers to third on the competition table.
(Zac Schafer 2, Mason Lewis 2, Josh Hopkins, Brayden Livermore, Ricky Carrington, Tai Urquhart tries, Luke Croker 8 goals)
League Tag
The Tigers League Tag team sealed a semi-final spot with an 18-0 win over Old Bar Beach. Wingham led 10-0 at the break with tries to Aliesha Bell and Luci Yarnold, the latter converted by Chloe Buddle. Taleah Dark and Lauren Fulton added tries in the second half.
(Aliesha Bell, Luci Yarnold, Taleah dark, Lauren Fulton tries, Chloe Buddle goal)
Womens Tackle
The Tigers Women's Tackle team played the competition leaders, the Laurieton Stingrays. The visitors led 24-0 at the break, and ran out winners 40-4.
Wingham were rewarded with a late try to Myaria Morcombe.
(Myaria Morcombe try)