Canowindra Junior Tigers had their second home game in a row as they took on Condobolin at the Oval and began the second round of competition
Under 8s
The 8s were joined by a Rams player to make the sides even and he contributed to the speed of the 8s play.
Jordan Kemper was again the top try scorer with two trys while Shae Reid crossed the line once and kicked two conversions.
The 8s threatened the line many more times but excellent defence from the Rams kept them at bay.
Joshua Middleton, Miles McKenzie and Codie Reid were instrumental in the defensive effort as they tackled well and were always there in support of the ball carrier.
Under10s
The Under10s began the close hard fought matches of the day as they battled gamely but went down in the end 18-0.
The 10s began the game with great enthusiasm as Sam Willson and Daniel Friend hit the ball up with great strength and determination.
Gene Tarrant and Lewis O'Keefe copied the manoeuvres and advanced play through the first line of Condobolin's defence.
However despite the usual probing runs from Jumara Cutmore and Jake Wythes the 10s couldn't quite get through that last line of defence and over the line for a try.
Defence began to play a bigger part of the 10s game as Condo pushed the attack into Canowindra's quarter.
The Tigers defence cracked once late in the half and the half time score was 6-0 despite the Tiger's 10s attacking right on the Rams line at the half time hooter.
The tackling of the 10s improved after the break as Will Middleton brought down a rampaging rams prop with a superb tackle while Callum Clyburn and Jake Wythes team up to bring many attackers up short.
Zac Whitehead was a key in the Tigers defence as he stopped many their moves before the line and then took play out of the danger area with robust hit ups.
Jordi Brown and Shae Reid tackled their socks off and many Condo players to a standstill, however this defence still wasn't enough and the Rams cracked the Tigers defence twice more for a full time score of 18-0.
Under 12s
Another close match occurred in the 12s game with one try being scored in each half as Condo ran out winners 8-0.
In a match that was a mini dress rehearsal for a primary school match between the two this Thursday, metres gained were at a premium with neither side gaining the obvious advantage.
With Bradyn Cassidy and Alex Willson back from representing Western Region at a State Under 11s rugby League carnival on the north coast through the week, [Rohan Toole was another participant at the carnival] the 12s were keen to gain an advantage over their opponents.
Simon Whatman, Jayden Brown and Makk McNaught led the forwards with their damaging hit ups which always gained metres, while Tim Wythes and Harry Whatman hovered around the fringes of the ruck ready for the offload.
However despite the strong attack from the forwards which was backed up in the backs by Bradyn Cassidy, Alex Willson and Tim Middleton it was defence which was to be the cornerstone of the 12s game as the rams had the more of the possession.
Michael Watt was the lynch pin of the defensive effort as he tackled anything that ran near him and finished the game with 27 tackles.
The best attacking move in the first half came as Talby Upton claimed a loose ball and from the play the ball Bradyn ran down the sideline into the Rams quarter.
From the next play the ball the ball went along the line with crisp passes and finished with Jayden Brown just held up over the line.
The Tigers defence cracked just on half time and the Rams went to the break four points up.
The second half was a repeat of the first with the Tigers trying to find a way through to even up the score but never quite getting over the line.
The 12s kept trying to the final whistle with Kurt Tidswell and Tim Middleton striving for that extra metre in the centres.
A sour note and sour play crept into the game towards the end as flailing arms and over-vigorous defence caused the Tigers to receive a couple of penalties but to no avail as Condobolin ran out winners 8-0.
Under14s
Unfortunately for the 14s their second round began in a similar fashion to the first as Condobolin beat them 68-0.
With injuries still dominating their bench the 14s took the field against their bigger opponents and held out the initial onslaught from the Rams as the centre combination of Josh Cooney and Troy Jenkins prevented their opponents breaking through.
Condobolin's first try came from an intercept and following a run from the restart their lock finished up under the posts, and the Tigers were down 12 points in about two minutes.
Kane Earsman and Harry Myers combined well in the forwards with strong hit ups and crisp tackles when called for.
Dan Middleton relished with the move to five eight as he capitalised the chance to be closer to ruck work.
The 14s didn't stop trying but momentum was with the Rams as the half time score was 44-0 and the full time score was 68-0.
Under16s
With the Rams revved up for the clean sweep their 16s took the field full of confidence which the Tigers 16s destroyed as they ran out winners 20-6.
James Vitnell, James Augustin and Brad Bowman started the match well as their penetrating hit ups always gained metres for the Tigers.
Feelings were running high as after a strong tackle from winger Michael Traves the tacklee came up breathing fire.
The rams ran in the opening try and kicked the conversion for a 6-0 lead.
Shortly after the Tigers were down a man as Brad Bowman was 'rested' for ten minutes, but this only spurred the 16s on as they continued to run at will and defend with vigour.
Haydon Hodge kicked ahead, regathered and scored under the posts before the Rams realised he had the ball.
Stuart Scott, playing at five eight this week, converted the try which levelled the score at 6 all.
Strong hit ups from Vinny Thurtell, Abram Wilcox and Aaron Earsman saw play again inside the Rams quarter from where James Augustin carried defenders over the line with him as he scored the 16s second try near the left corner.
The try was unconverted which left the half time score at 10-6.
Shortly after half time Brad Bowman returned to the field and began make his mark through more punishing hit ups and tough defence.
The Tigers third try came after a brilliant bit of mind reading as 'Cho' Augustin again broke the initial line of defence and when he was caught, threw a 'hail mary' pass which Haydon Hodge caught, evaded the defence and scored next to the posts.
The conversion took the margin to ten points, 16-6.
The defensive intensity increased as the 16s Tigers were determined to win and Brad Stuart, Stuart Gavin and Nick Whatman tackled ferociously as they tackled Condo out of the game
Even when the Rams were granted a penalty inside the Tigers quarter the Rams still didn't couldn't penetrate the Tiger's defence.
A sizzling running combination from Stuart Gavin,and Nick Whatman took play inside the Rams quarter, from where Brad Bowman charged over the line wide out for the 16s final try and a full time score of 20-6.
This week the junior Tigers face another tough opponent as they take on Red Bend in Forbes.
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