The scoreboard shows a loss to Canowindra Tigers 38 points to 14, but when you know the true story of the match, this side was one of the most gallant, courageous efforts in recent history to hold the number one team Manildra to only 38 points.
The Tigers started the game with only 13 players available and unfortunately during the first half lost two players to shoulder injuries and a send-off in the dying minutes.
This reduced the team to 10 players and then the loss of Ronnie Lawrence, their Captain from an injury early in the second half reduced them further to nine. Another player turned up to make it 10 but most of the second half was played with nine players. They not only held Manildra but scored a try. The halftime score was 12-10 to Manildra.
The Tigers played some entertaining football with clever kicks many times starving Manildra of the ball. The high-flying Sam Neil scored again leaping high above the defense for the fourth week in a row. In attacking positions, the Tigers ran in their second try of the first half through Moey Phillips, not converted to bridge the gap to only two points after Manildra scored two early tries.
It looked as if Manildra would run away with the match with two early tries, but the gallant tigers held strong, spoiling many attacking raids from Manildra and dug deep.
The Tigers continued with their clever play through some smart kicking which resulted in Canowindra scoring a try late in the second half, Phillip’s second for the game, reducing the margin to 38-14 to be the final score.
The League Tag players were a little unlucky with a couple of 50/50 calls going against them during the game after leading 6-4 and half time against the strong Manildra side. This was a very entertaining league tag game with great ball movement and desperate defensive saves from both teams. Manildra controlled the ball and field position in the second half to run out winners 24-6.
This week we travel to Oberon on Saturday. Congratulations to Andrew Pull for winning the volunteer of the year New South Wales in NSW Rugby league and Bolly Newcombe on his 50th birthday.