The two Woodbridge Cup Tigers teams, Canowindra and Oberon, met up at Canowindra’s Tom Clyburn ground for their round 5 match won 18-16 by the Tigers from Oberon.
Following the two-hour trip and with a short bench, Oberon did not begin with the aggression they had in the early part of their previous game against Orange Warriors, but in the first half, with a higher rate of possession and better field position than their opponents, still ran in three converted tries for a comfortable halftime score of 16-0.
With three converted tries via Lleyton Lothian, Nathan Barlow and Senio Lefaoseu, they scored all of the game’s first-half points, and in a typical game of two halves, Canowindra began their pursuit of points after the break.
In the 52nd minute Canowindra’s first try of the game was scored by Deegy Mariner and subsequently converted by Bailey Kennedy.
Three minutes later Kennedy himself was across for four points but was unsuccessful with the conversion.
At 18-10 Andrew Bennett scored Canowindra’s next try, converted by Kennedy for an 18-16 scoreline while keeping their opponents scoreless.
Oberon had squandered a good first-half lead, and just two points in arrears the local Tigers were now roaring, and with 16 minutes remaining the final result was seriously in doubt.
The visitors were scrambling in defence in the final period of time during which a player from each side was sin binned for dissent, and with both teams visibly tiring Oberon managed to keep Canowindra at bay till the final whistle in an unconvincing result, the Canowindra Tigers scoring all the second-half points to get within two of their rivals.
Oberon’s two competition points maintains their top-five position, only two behind leaders Manildra and Cowra on 10 points.
They share a place on the ladder with Molong and Orange United Warriors.
In the same round at Manildra’s home ground the Rhinos flexed their muscles with a 60-point drubbing of Grenfell’s Goannas, while Blayney Bears copped a 72-10 hammering at Molong by the Bulls.
Apart from Cowra’s 38-18 defeat of Cargo most other matches were fairly closely contested.
Canowindra, with their loss, has dropped back to eighth spot on the table.
For a third time in a row Oberon will be involved in the match of the round when they host high-flying powerhouse Manildra in this weekend’s round 6 match-up that will test the resilience and credentials of the Tigers.
Against competition leaders Manildra, Oberon will have needed to address their second-half let-downs which have allowed opponents back into their contests.
Oberon’s leaguetag side, despite beaten 26-4 by Canowindra, still hold down eighth position on the ladder and, like their male counterparts, face a team leading their competition.
Pictured: Oberon Tigers’ leaguetag’s Elizabeth Youman
Pictured Top: Oberon Tigers’ Lleyton Lothian