Under clear blue skies the the Round 4 Saturday games had the best of the weekend conditions. This round has been nominated as #RESPECT round and all clubs will show their respect to the game, each other and the officials. It was great to see so much appreciation for all officials this weekend, without them we wouldn't have a game and in each of the Tigers games they did a great job. Well done to all teams and please enjoy the reports and galleries below.
Tigers U6 Blue 44 De La Salle 8
The Tigers put on a dominant performance against a brave De La Salle team scoring 10 tries to 2. Kingston Taylor and Conor Lehane to scored with three apiece, with Ollie Trevillian bagging a brace and Ethan Welfare and Logan Jones chipping in with one each. The Tigers are looking like a formidable team with everyone working for each other and supporting the play.
Tigers U7 Blue 56 Bosco Bulldogs 56
In an exciting game neither team deserved to lose, over 100 points were scored in a cracking advert for the game. The Tigers put on a brilliant display with Jake McMillan top scoring with 10 tries, Layken Koprivic scoring a brace and Jaxon Good and Hendrix Austin scoring one apiece. In a game that could have gone either way the Tigers fought valiantly to stay in the game and push the Bulldogs to the final whistle. A great effort by a team that never gives up and is never beaten.
Tigers U8 Blue 0 Cronulla Caringbah 66
The Tigers ran into a brick wall this week in the shape of a fast and furious Sharks outfit. Cronulla Caringbah had answers to everything the Tigers threw at them and proved to be too quick and too skillful when they had the ball. Some days you just come up against a better team and I'm sure the Tigers will dust themselves off and go again next week.
Tigers U9 Blue 16 Engadine Dragons 12
Out of sorts last week, on fire this week, the Tigers secured their second win of the season with a gritty win over the more fancied Dragons. Archer Brassington, Hayden Walker and Lachlan Couley scored for the Tigers with Charlotte Dart and Hayden Walker getting the important conversions. This was a great effort by the Tigers who got ahead early before scoring the crucial winning try in the fourth quarter.
Tigers U13 Bronze 28 Como Crocs 22
In a game that had a bit of everything, the Tigers scored in the final minute to pinch victory over a gallant Crocs team, who looked certain to win in the dying moments of the game. It was a tight opening to the game with both teams working through their sets before Lewis Amesbury worked some space before running 75 metres to score under the posts. From the kick off a solid run by Lucius Viteri and the Leo Giovenco sucked defenders in and the ball was worked to the right for Lewis to outpace the Crocs defenders and grab his second and give the Tigers a 12-0 lead. The Crocs then got on the board and this lifted their spirits. They were playing with confidence and pressuring the Tigers all over the field but with minutes remaining, the Tigers worked the ball into a decent position and Lewis stepped and dummied his way through the Crocs defence to score a first half hat-trick and give the Tigers an 18-4 half time lead.
In the second half the Crocs lifted and put on two quick tries to get the scores back to 18-16, momentum was swinging towards the Crocs with the Tigers looking shell shocked. As expected the Crocs scored again, somewhat against the run of play but the Crocs didn't care as they now led for the first time in the game 22-18. With time running out, Lewis Amesbury unbelievably scored his fourth try to level the scores at 22 all and then with just one minute remaining, he collected the ball deep in his own half and set off up the right touchline. The Crocs had covering defenders but he outpaced the first two, stepped around the third and held off a fourth, to run under the posts and then pass the ball to Jensen Bunyan to score the winning try and give the Tigers a famous 28-22 victory.
Tigers U13 Silver 26 Gymea Gorillas 0
These two teams have history having played in some tight games over the years and both teams will be digging deep to get the better of the other today. The Tigers started brightly and scored the first points after a sweeping back line move got the ball to Mason De Luca and in typical fashion, he ran hard and straight, bursting through the Gorillas defence to put the Tigers ahead. Soon after Flynn Rankin crossed for his first ever rugby league try and got the Tigers out to an 8-0 lead. The Tigers were playing with patience and determination, working the ball through hands and passing from side to side in search of an opening. Zac Porter was next to get on the scoresheet, with a strong run through traffic, holding off defenders and using his strength to get over the line and put the Tigers out to a 14-0 half time lead.
In the second half the Tigers had a try disallowed for offside and this lifted the Gorillas, who started to pressure the Tigers all over the field. The Gorillas lifted their physicality and there were some strong hits on the Tigers, who responded and the game became a war of attrition for a period. However, the Tigers class came to the fore and some neat play down the right wing saw Ethan Coleman use his strength to get the ball down close to the line. Billy Dunn then scored again for the Tigers who were now asserting their dominance over a brave Gorillas outfit. The Tigers eventually ran out 26-0 winners and this was a professional performance by the U13 Silver team who stayed focused throughout and stuck to their game plan.
Tigers U16 Silver 28 Taren Point Titans 4
This was a battle between two teams hoping to get their seasons started with a first win. It was an even start, with both teams feeling each other out and Campbell Robertson and Bailey Murray were making some big hits, against much bigger opponents. The Tigers started to get on top and a good attack, that saw the ball going through multiple sets of hands, saw Tom Robinson score on the left wing and give the Tigers an early lead. The Titans scored on the next play when a lucky deflection from a Titans kick, saw the ball land in the arms of an attacking player who just had to place the ball down to score. From the next play, the Tigers moved ahead again from some great initial work by Tom Robinson, who used his step effectively to create space, and the ball was worked out to Jai McEwen who ran through a gap to score.
The game predictably settled down after this and the Titans started to work themselves back into the game, through good field position. The Tigers however, had the answers to each Titans attack and then a great break by Jacob Way, got the ball to Bailey Murray, who bulldozed his way through the Titans defence eating up the metres before being tackled close to the line. From the next play Tom Robinson scored his second try under the posts to give the Tigers a 16-4 half-time lead. In the second half the wind picked up even more and started to blow a gale across the field. Both teams tried to get the ascendancy through their defence and there were few chances for either team. Harry Melbourne was given 10 mins in the sin bin for a high tackle and then numbers were even again after a Titans player was given 10 in the bin for throwing a punch. This lifted the Tigers and they scored three quick tries to go out to an unassailable lead. First, Albie Lamaro scored close to the line after some great initial work by Bailey Murray. Kobi Porter then got on the scoresheet after great work by Tom Robinson. Then Albie Lamaro got his second after yet another bruising run from Bailey Murray.
This was an impressive team performance by the Tigers with all players making a contribution. The defence was strong and the Tigers attack always looked dangerous whenever they had the ball. Issac Schippers saved his best work late with some strong runs in the second half and it was pleasing to have Blake Burke back in the team after his recent facial injury. The Tigers meet the table topping Kingsgrove Colts next week and with a full squad available for the first time this season, could well make a statement to the rest of the competition.
Tigers O35 Silver 24 Renown United 42
With a weakened team on account of injuries the Tigers suffered another defeat against a skillful Renown team. The Tigers, like last week fought back well in the second half but the opposition were too far ahead to trouble the result. The Tigers will be hoping to get some players back next week and reverse their recent results with a much needed win.
On a glorious day, we were fortunate to witness some dazzling footy to go with the weather. Jake McMillan with 10 tries deserves a special mention helping his U7's team to a 56-56 draw against the Bulldogs. The U6's were impressive again and both U13 's teams won with the silvers looking impressive and the Bronze winning a nail biter at Sutherland Oval. Lewis Amesbury had another standout performance and is proving a real headache for opposition coaches. We thank the the Gorillas, De La Salle, Bulldogs, Sharks, Dragons, Crocs, Titans and Renown for a great weekend of junior footy and we wish all teams the best for the remainder of the season.
The Tigers are proudly sponsored by Kore Property Group, Quality Health Care, On Top Constructions. Sound Plumbing, Shire Garage Doors, E&S Electrical Wholesalers, Pizza League, Sutherland Shire Trophies, Dad and Dave's Tree Services and Underground Civil Supplies. Please show your support for the local businesses that support your club.
