The mighty tigers went within a whisker of downing the undefeated Dubbo CYMS in the best game of bush footy I have ever witnessed.
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In an age where big scorelines are common, these two sides wound back the clock to the days where games were built on defence and this one certainly was.
Both sides were aggressive and fast and it was definitely no race for the faint hearted.
The Tigers went to half-time holding a 7-6 lead courtesy of a Brad Pickering field goal on the bell.
CYMS came out of the second session expecting the gas to run out of our boys but it didn't happen with both teams defending like their lives depended on it.
The only points of the second half was a penalty goal to CYMS to take and 8-7 lead which ended up being the score at full-time.
We had a chance to take the lead with a late shot at penalty goal but the ball sailed wide of the posts.
There was not a bad player on the paddock. The match up between Rob Gudgeon and Western Rams centre Jai Chapman was a beauty. These two blokes are similar types of players and they went at it from the get-go.
Neither player gave an inch. But I think our main man might have won a points decision with his aggressive defence levelling his opponent on several occasions.
Captain-coach Byron Warren in only his second game back from injury was outstanding, you forget how good a footballer this bloke is with a couple more runs under his belt he could be the difference come semi-finals.
The defensive efforts of Loma, Troy Evans and Luke Moody had to be seen to be believed.
They have been as good as the best we have ever had.
Super effort boys, we may not have gotten the cash but we have definitely got CYMS thinking and they would have known they had a game of footy as they headed back over the levee.
The reserve grade game saw Dek's men stand tall once again to grind out a 14 to 10 victory over CYMS. Dek has got these blokes working hard for each other and the results are showing.
The fowards keep turning up for each other in defence. Matty Selfe tackled himself silly as did Luke Matheson. In the backs Dom Kennedy was the difference. Little winger Irish Pete was also solid. Good effort boys.
The under-18s clash saw both sides field depleted teams because of representative commitments. But the boys still produced a good showing with the game going down to the wire.
The Tigers held an 18 to eight lead with 12 minutes to go but faded at the finish to go down 26 to 18.
Frontrower Owen Kennedy was the best for the Tigers. He received good support from Tom Harris and Dave Casey.
