After a bye last week Canowindra Junior Tigers took on Forbes at the Oval on Saturday in near arctic conditions and came away with one win from five matches.
Under 8s
After a couple of wins and close losses, the 8s faced a very swift Forbes team who ran out winners 58-16.
Joshua Middleton led the way in the try scoring department for the Tigers this week with a hat trick of trys, which showed a quick step around the defence.
Shae Reid chimed in with one try which made the sixteen points as the cold kept the conversions off line.
The boys continue to improve as Jai Black, Jordan Kemper, Codie Reid and Miles McKenzie combine with Shae and Joshua for strong tackling and fast running.
Under 10s
The Canowindra Services Club Under 10s started off like a whirlwind as they ran in two quick trys before going down 30-14.
Revved up after their warm up and trying not to slow down and get cold Callum Clyburn raced away for the first try.
Max Wensley was welcomed back to the centres after a long lay off with injury and immediately slotted back into a good centre combination with Jake Wythes.
When Zak Whitehead chimed into the attack from fullback the 10s had Forbes on the back foot and Jumara Cutmore exploited the gaps and ran around the defence for the Tigers second try.
The defensive effort was led from up front by Daniel Friend, Gene Tarrant and Louis O'Keefe as Sam Willson and Nathan Whatman tackled anything that moved around the fringes of the ruck.
Despite this tigerish defence Forbes found a few gaps and it wasn't long before the scores were evened up.
The Services Club 10s scored their final try as Callum Clyburn again nipped through the defence and scored near the posts.
With one conversion from William Middleton the 10s had their fourteen points although they all kept trying they were always pulled up short of the line and couldn't add any more to the total.
Under 12s
The Earsman's Mixed Concrete Under 12s kept the Tigers flag flying as they triumphed over Forbes 24-6.
In a quick first half the 12s concentrated more on hit ups rather than tackles as they forced Forbes into turnovers and always had the ball.
Lock Jayden Brown typified the attitude as he gained about twenty metres with a strong hit up from the opening kick off.
Simon Whatman, Tim Middleton and Tim Wythes continued the onslaught and gained ground with every run.
The backs showed the week off hadn't hurt them as crisp passing from halves Bailey Cain and Rohan Toole had the ball skimming to centres Dean Wilson and Kurt Tidswell who gained yet more ground.
The first try came as Jayden Brown took the third hit up after a penalty through the defence and over the line not far from the posts and after the Bradyn Cassidy conversion the Earsman's Concrete 10s led 6-0.
Not long after after, a similar surge from Simon Whatman, he was over the line for the 10s second try and a 10-0 lead.
As Michael Watt and Tim Middleton continued to gain massive ground in the forwards the backs gained metres as well, with Bradyn Cassidy bursting through the Forbes backline.
He drew two defenders and off loaded to Josh Trayhurn who dodged the final defender and scored in the corner.
Rohan Toole converted the try and the 12s led 16-0.
Determination was showcased in the 12s next try as Simon again broke Forbes line, was then half tackled but he broke through, was tripped up but he bounced over the line for his second try. [Simon's new thigh skins were obviously worth the investment.]
Just before half time the 12s kicked the ball through on the last tackle and Forbes took the ball but fierce pressure from the Tigers caused them to then drop the ball and Makk McNaught was on the spot to regain possession and dive over the line for the 12s fifth try.
Alex Willson's conversion took the banana bend just behind the upright so the score remained at 24-0 at the break.
Forbes came out after the break with tougher tackles which restricted the 12s scoring chances but the Tigers continued their own tough tackling and apart from one lapse where Forbes finally broke through the Tigers defence was strong.
Talby Upton did a terrific job at full back secure under the high balls and stalwart in defence with some ankle-grabbing cover tackles.
Under 14s
The Canowindra Produce Under 14s again went down by a large score, 58-0, but the improvements keep coming.
The 14s held their own for the first fifteen minutes of the game as they attacked Forbes but were kept from crossing the line.
Beau McNaught broke the line on numerous occasions while Dan Middleton made quick metres coming from behind the scrum.
Gerard Eppulstun, playing his first game after recovering from a dislocated elbow, teamed up with Josh Cooney in the centres which again made ground especially when Luke Watt added his speed from full back.
Harry Myers and Kane Earsman combined with Beau in the defence in the forwards as they tackled many a Forbes runner to his knees.
Despite this improved defence Forbes broke through for five trys and went to the break twenty four points ahead.
Attacking chances were less for the 14s in the second half as Forbes piled on the pressure and extended their lead.
Kane, Beau and Dan continued to lead the defence which was strengthened by Troy Jenkins, and Nick Willson when they came off the reserves bench.
Unfortunately it wasn't enough and Forbes ran out winners 58-0.
Under 16s
The last game of a very cold day was the Kithome Under 16s, who went down to Forbes in a see-sawing game 36-22.
Forbes opened the scoring with two quick trys and led 10-0, which could have been more if not for some spectacular cover tackles from Tigers fullback Abram Wilcox.
Forward juggernauts Brad Bowman and James Augustin led the fight back with teeth rattling hit ups which always gained ground.
Brad Stuart continued to gain ground in a similar style when James Augustin left the field with blood pouring from his nose.
The Tigers first try came after a kick ahead which Haydon Hodge reefed off the catcher and ran through the remaining defence and scored with Stuart Scott in close support.
Haydon converted his own try and the 16s were within four points of the lead.
They closed the gap soon after as Haydon ran down the sideline evaded the defence and score in the corner for a 10 all score line.
The Tigers went to the break with a six point lead after Haydon again chased a Nick Whatman kick, caught it and went over the line for his third try which Stuart Scott promptly converted.
Sean Wyburn and Brodie Friend tackled strongly as they tried to keep Forbes out.
However Forbes evened up the score at 16 all before Haydon Hodge again led the charge towards Forbes line.
Vinny Thurtell was there to take the pass and he ran away and score next to the posts.
Stuart Scott converted the try and once more the 16s led by 6.
Despite commitment to both attack and defence this was the 16s last score and Forbes ran in four more trys, the last on the bell, and won 36-22.
This week the Junior Tigers face the trek to Trundle where we hope the scores are more favourable.
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