All Saturday games went ahead despite it being wet and miserable, not the footy though. The footy was the one bright spot on a cold winter's day in the Shire. Some grounds fared better than others but there was a lot of surface water and conditions made it tricky for the Tigers to play the quick, skillful and expansive brand of footy that they have become known for. Despite the weather the Tigers still managed to put on a show and a massive Tigers Shout-Out the coaches, trainers and players and parents for braving the conditions today, you are all stars, very wet stars but stars all the same.
The U12 Bronze and Silver teams were playing at Boystown Oval and BAR TV was there to capture all the action. If you would like to see four team slugging it out in unbelievable conditions click on the following link to watch the games.
U6 Green Tigers 36 Engadine Dragons 24
The good form from last week continued for the U6's who turned in another impressive performance in difficult conditions at Anzac. Although the game was abandoned after the third quarter the Tigers were looking good and looked like they had more tries in them. The scoring was spread across the team this week with Josh Dart, Logan Jones and Robert Couley scoring in the first quarter, Hendrix Austin, Jake McMillan, Conor Lehane and Robert Couley in the second and Josh Dart and Ollie Trevillian in the third. The team is beginning to gel and players are understanding their role and gaining confidence, particularly in their tackling. Well done to David, Matt and Faye for braving the weather and thanks to all the players and parents for a great effort.
Player of the Game: Josh Dart
Tigers Spirit Award: Hendrix Austin
U7 Green Tigers 40 De La Salle 28
What a day for a game-the Tigers first in the pouring rain - it was always going to be tough, playing in wet and wild conditions but the team were up for the challenge and performed brilliantly.
The heavens opened just as the whistle blew for kick off and it took both teams some time to adjust to playing wet weather footy. All were nervous about their footing on the rain soaked field and the slippery ball just made things even more difficult. Harrison Payn took to the field like a duck to water today - sliding down the sideline for a huge try saving tackle in the first period. Conversely, Harry put on a massive run down the length of the field with the whole De La team hanging off him, trying to get him down. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a try from Harry at this point, but if the ref hadn’t called held, we may just have gotten there.
Arlo Gibbons and Hendrix Crawley showed they were unafraid of bursting off the line in defence and going for tackles, backed up by Harrison Payne, Caleb Dawson and Hendrix Malaki. All of the boys were really present in chase and tackle manoeuvres today. We saw some great attacking with gaps being found and taken advantage of as well as determination to get through De La’s strong defence line. Hendrix Crawley and Arlo Gibbon’s persistence and never say never attitude saw both score great tries today. Well done!
The U7s had some work to do and needed to remember to keep away from the sidelines as this was forcing too many errors. A quick chat from Dennis and Tyler at half time saw this corrected and the boys listened to direction and started running straight. Both teams were try for try in each quarter, but the Tigers added some much needed steam and grunt in the final period, running hard and straight and putting on 3 tries to take home the win.
This team goes from strength to strength every week, listening to direction from their coaches and picking up new skills week on week. The boys watch their teammates and learn from each other, always being encouraged and celebrated with personal wins. They are a pleasure to watch and are always entertaining, engaged in fair play and show true Tiger spirit week in, week out. Tyler, Dennis and Danielle couldn’t be prouder of the boys.
Well done to Dennis, Tyler and Danielle for braving the conditions and thanks to all players and parents for getting along to the game.
Player of the Game: Harrison Payne
Tigers Spirit Award: Arlo Gibbons
U8 Green Tigers 24 Cronulla Caringbah 36
Another strong performance from the U8 team who are getting closer each week to a victory. The Tigers played bravely despite the conditions and up against a Sharks team that is always better suited to the water, being their natural environment. Charlotte Dart relished the heavy going and she had a game to remember, tackling, running and even scoring a later conversion to cap off a fine performance. Levi Horne and Aston Gibbons scored two tries apiece and had strong games, worrying the Sharks defence with their speed and ball skills. Hayden Walker had another strong game, scoring again and making big metres throughout the game.
Hunter Welfare and Hudson Amor played well throughout, making important tackles when needed. Max Carlson, Hudson Palmervale and Joey Rodriguez also played well, making some good runs and supporting their teammates whenever they could. Despite the defeat you can see the improvement in the team and the increased confidence amongst the players. A win is surely not too far away.
Well done to Trent, Andrew and Kylie for braving the weather and thanks to all players and parents for getting along to the game.
Player of the Game: Levi Horne
Tigers Spirit Award: Charlotte Dart
U12 Bronze Tigers 16 Arncliffe Scots 10
In testing conditions the Bronze boys met the Scots again, it was heavy underfoot and the usual game plan would have to change given the conditions. Tigers attacked first with Levi Dawson scoring the first try after running around the Scots defence to go 4-0 ahead. From the kick-off the Scots big forwards were making good metres and pushing the Tigers defence backwards. A quick break on the left saw the Tigers made some good ground out of defence and a bomb got them up to the halfway line. The Tigers players were showing some good footwork and were managing to dance through the Scots defence, but conditions underfoot meant this strategy would not last for the whole game.
A knock on by the Tigers gave Scots the ball in good field position and they managed to score and convert to take a 6-4 lead. From the kick off the Tigers made some good runs and Bede Staniforth burst through the defence but the Tigers fluffed the chance with players queing up to score on the left. Lewis Amesbury was making some good runs from the middle and a strong Mason Holiday run was close to a try but he was held up close to the line. The Tigers were showing good intent and on the next play Bede Staniforth cut through the Scots defence to get the Tigers second try and take an 8-6 lead at half time.
In the second half the Scots went on the attack looking to score. Cooper Nunn and Levi Dawson were tackling like terriers in the middle of the park and Patrick Graham and Hunter Loveday were giving good support when needed.Two quick penalties to Scots gave them possession in the Tigers half and they made it count with a try to take a 10-8 lead. From the kick off the Tigers went on the attack, firstly a good run by Lewis Amesbury and then Bede Staniforth, got the Tigers close and good hands got the ball to Levi Dawson, who ran around the defence to score a great try and get the Tigers out to a 12-10 lead.
In the final minutes the conditions got increasingly worse and credit to both teams as they continued to try and play good football. A dropped ball by Scots gave the Tigers an advantage and a good run by Bede Staniforth got them going forward. Lucius Viteri then made a strong run pushing the Scots defenders back and a quick play getting the ball out to Lewis Amesbury gave him enough space to use his speed and score what proved to be the winning try. In the final minutes Scots pushed hard and the Tigers held out for 28 tackles, which was an amazing effort given the conditions.
This was a gritty win for the Bronze team against tough opponents who came to play. Another solid defensive effort got the Tigers over the line and put them in a strong position to make a late charge to the finals. Well done to Steve, Mark and Belinda for braving the weather and thanks to all players and parents for getting along to the game.
Player of the Game: Mason Holiday
U12 Silver Tigers 14 Cronulla Caringbah 4
Sharks kicked off and Tigers advanced with some good team play before coughing up possession. Sharks first attack was contained by Tigers before a couple of quick penalties put the Tigers under pressure. A mistake by the Sharks allowed the Tigers to get off their goal line. Handling errors from both teams slowed the play before a good run by Mason De Luca and then Billy Dunn got the Tigers going forward.
Both teams were looking to throw passes before a great run and offload by Zac Porter got the Tigers attacking. Dylan Sammut made a strong run through the middle breaking through tackles and the ball got out to Zac Porter who was following up the play and used his speed to score and give the Tigers a 4-0 lead. Good defence by Tigers allowed them to regather the ball near the halfway line but an error lost the advantage. The Sharks were kicking early in the tackle count and forced a mistake to get good field position. A penalty to the Sharks late in the tackle count gave them a chance but a double movement gave the Tigers the ball back after a scare.
Hudson Wilcox and Zar Mackenzie were busy in the middle of the park with both players almost tackling themselves to a standstill. The Sharks leveled up at 4-4 late in the half with a blizzard blowing across the ground. In the second half the Sharks attacked but a mistake gave the Tigers the ball. A great run by Hudson Wilcox got them to the halfway line before some good work came undone through a knock on. The Tigers were looking good and had the Sharks pinned to their defensive line before another handling error lost all momentum. Another blizzard made conditions worse (unbelievable but true) before a great break by Billy Dunn got the Tigers out to an 8-4 lead.
The game became a bit of a mud wrestle late in the half before another great break by Hudson Wilcox created space and beat a couple of defenders to score and give the Tigers a winning 14-4 lead. With a couple of minutes to go both teams continued to play open footy and all credit should be given to every player for playing so hard in terrible conditions. This was a hard fought win by the Tigers who dug deep when they needed to. Well done to Glen, Michael, Harrison and Gerome for braving the weather and thanks to all players and parents for getting along to the game.
Player of the Game: Billy Dunn
U15 Silver Tigers Hurstville Game Cancelled due to weather
Player of the Game:
U18 Merged Tigers/Crocs Bye
Check out the galleries below and thanks to our sponsors for bringing you this weeks games.