The build-up for the game against Manildra didn’t disappoint with a great game of rugby league on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers started the game well but failed to complete their attacking raids and putting their defence under pressure early in the encounter with Manildra. Manildra were the first to put points on the board after they found the Tigers short of numbers on the right and scored a converted try to lead 6-0 after five minutes.
The game went on and then with some great thinking from a scrum 30m out from their own line put a kick down field where Marika chased and towed the ball through to score near the uprights to level the scores at 6-6 with a conversion from Maclean.
Jayden Brown from the next set of six chipped over the top for Brydon Hughes to regather and draw the fullback and pass to Brown on the inside to score under the post and a try converted for the Tigers to lead 12-6 at the break.
Manildra scored early in the second half to lock it up at 12-12. The Tigers scored the next two tries from some excellent play from Tori Madden, Dan Middleton and from 15m out Brown went the blindside to board young Brendan Clements over in the corner, Maclean converted.
The Tigers worked their way down into Manildra‘s territory shortly after and from a great move from the scrum Brown went blind and scored 5m in but the conversion was just wide and Canowindra led 22-12.
In this period of play the Tigers lacked possession which allowed Manildra to gain the advantage with their strong forwards to run in two tries after some tired defence was unable to hold out. Manildra scored two tries to lead 24-22.
The Tigers had some scoring opportunities late in the game and were held up over the line on two occasions. Unfortunately Manildra scored a late try to seal the win 30 points to 22. Aaron Earsman and Blake Willson had a big day with each totalling 40 tackles for the match. Jayden Brown tried hard directing players around the park. Points went to 3 Dan Madden, 2 Dan Middleton, 1 Nick Willson and Tim Wythes, the Players Player was Alex Willson.
By Barry Traves