The Wingham Tigers first grade side managed a much needed victory against the odds when they played Forster-Tuncurry last weekend.

After a disappointing loss the previous week, the Tigers travelled to Harry Elliot Oval at Tuncurry to challenge the second placed Hawks.

The previous encounter between the teams saw the Hawks victorious 48-28.

Again, injuries to the Tigers meant a reshuffle of the line up.

In the early minutes, the Hawks strolled over for a try under the posts to lead 6-0.

The Tigers were running into a strong breeze, and Joel Kliendienst crossed in the corner on the blind side after a quarter of an hour.

Ten minutes later, Forster-Tuncurry scored another try against soft defence to lead 12-4.

Shortly afterward, the Tigers lost captain Nigel Latham with a dislocated thumb.

Right on half time, Wingham bombed a try in the corner, and went to the break trailing by eight points.

The home team scored early in the second stanza to lead 16-4, seemingly controlling the game.

But the Tigers weren’t going to give up.

Joe Southwell had a try disallowed when the referee ruled that he was held up.

Then an injured Josh Watson sliced through to put the visitors back in the match.

Luke Steel converted the try to trail 16-10.

From the kick-off, a rake saw Wingham dispossessed of the football, and the Hawks scored out wide.

Minutes later, following another Tigers mistake, the home team scored again to lead 24-10 midway through the second half.

With just 13 minutes remaining, an inside ball to Corey Sheehan led to a try.

Luke Steel converted to bring Wingham within eight points.

Minutes later, Joel Kliendienst recovered a chip kick to score out wide, but was ruled off side.

Six minutes from the final bell, Richie Donovan scored in the corner.

Luke Steel converted the try from the sideline to trail 24-22.

Then with only three minutes left, Ben Northam stripped the Hawks’ winger of the football and ran 70 metres down the sideline to score in the corner.

The conversion just missed, but the Tigers were ahead for the first time in the match by 26-24.

They were able to hold on to the end for a welcome win.

Reserve grade

Reserve grade saw the second-placed Tigers against the third placed Hawks.

After 20 minutes, Wingham led 14-0 after tries by Steve Gee, and a double to Doug Ferguson.

Scott Murray kicked one conversion.

But in the final 10 minutes, Forster-Tuncurry scored twice to trail 14-8 at the break.

Matt Paulson scored twice in the first five minutes of the second half, both converted by Scott Hammond.

Then Russell Babekuhl raced away for another Tigers try, again converted by Scott Hammond for a 32-8 lead. The Hawks hit back with a try, before back to back tries to Craig Hailes and Aaron Murray gave Wingham a 40-12 advantage.

Right on full time, Adam Kerr ran 50 metres to score.

Scott Murray’s kick made the final score 46-12 in favour of the Tigers.

Under 18s

The Hawks and Tigers were equal second on the under 18s competition table, and the scores were locked at nil-all at half time after Brendon Hepworth had a try disallowed early in the game.

The home team got on the scoreboard in the first minute of the second half to lead 6-0.

But then tries to Wayd Bowden and Zac Gaul put Wingham ahead 8-6. A penalty goal to Forster-Tuncurry levelled the scores with just five minutes remaining.

Then a heart breaking field goal to the home team gave the Hawks a narrow 9-8 victory.