Canowindra Junior Tigers travelled to Molong to take on Cabonne United, a new combination of Molong and Manildra, and met with mixed success.
Under 10's
Strong forward play and excellent passing were the trademarks of the Under 10s.
Jumara Cutmore scored the opening try after an individual run half the length of the field. Sam Willson converted the try for a 6-0 lead to the 10s.
Cabonne United hit back with a converted try of their own just before half time for an even 6 all at the break.
Soon after half time the Tigers were over the line again as Zac Whitehead this time went on an individual run down the right-hand touchline before he scored midway between post and the corner flag.
Zac converted his own try and the Under 10s led 12-6.
The 10s gained the advantage as Nathan Whatman and Jake Wythes made many strong hits ups, which kept Cabonne on the back foot.
Jumara Cutmore extended the lead for the 10s when he crossed in the corner after a penalty tap close to the line.
Jake Wythes' strong game was finished in style as he made a strong run through the Cabonne defence and over the line for a fourteen-point lead to the Tigers.
Jordy Brown converted Jake's try for a full time score of 22-6.
Excellent defence from the 10s ensured that they kept Cabonne scoreless in the second half a feat the entire team can be proud of, well-done boys.
Under 12s
Displaying no favouritism at all, the Under 12s produced the game of the day as they took on a large Cabonne team and tackled their bigger opponents out of the game.
The backs were ably lead by Alex Willson and Kurt Tidswell with Brayden Cassidy the rock at fullback while captain Simon Whatman tackled anything that moved no matter the size.
Harry Whatman opened the scoring for the 12's with a weaving run through the defence before he planted the ball over the line midway between the right hand corner post and uprights. Brayden Cassidy converted the try and the 12s Tigers led 6-0.
With the bigger side now on the back foot the Tigers were determined to keep them there with strong hit ups from Jayden Brown, Tim Wythes and wily halfback Mac McNaught.
Simon Whatman took play deep into Cabonne's quarter and from the next play zippy Harry Whatman was over the line again.
Rohan Toole's conversion hit the post and unluckily bounced away rather than over for a 10 nil lead.
Harry made it a hat trick of trys not long after as he again bamboozled the Cabonne defence and made the score 14-0.
The half time score was 18-0 after Harry made it four trys in a row a terrific reward for a committed first half.
The second half was as entertaining as the first with the commitment still there from all players. Jayden Brown typified the effort as he lined up and destroyed the big prop from Cabonne in a bone-crunching tackle.
The backs were as resilient as the forwards as winger, Sam McKenzie fielded a kick and then took the ball back up strongly through the defence.
Good, crisp passing resulted in the12s next try as Tim Middleton went over wide out and extended the score to 22-0.
Alex Willson showed determination as he tiptoed along the sideline, went through the defence and took the play back infield away from the sideline and deep into attack.
Simon Whatman capped a superb game with a try under the posts, which he converted, for a full time score of 22-0.
Top tacklers for the game were Simon Whatman 19, Tim Middleton 13 and Jayden Brown 12 while leading the hit-ups were Brayden Cassidy 12, Simon Whatman 10 while Jayden and Tim Middleton had 8 each.
Under14's
Unfortunately the 14s met a bigger and quicker opposition than them selves and were put on the back foot almost from the opening whistle.
Cabonne ran in three quick trys which saw the 14s Tigers on the defensive as they were always kicking off and giving the ball back to the opposition.
The only large statistics for the first half for the Tigers was the tackle count, which saw Luke Watt, Gerard Eppulston, Dan Middleton and Beau McNaught lead the defensive effort.
Towards the end of the first half Beau took the play into Cabonne's half and following a strong run from Dan Middleton and a zippy, darting run from Connor Bennett the Tigers ran out of tackles just short of Cabonne's line.
Gerard opened the second half with a huge hit up which was followed up with penetrating runs from Troy Jenkins, Luke Watt and the ever-present Beau McNaught.
Cabonne put another try on the board before play was inside Cabonne's quarter and a bustling hit up from Kane Earsman took play closer still to the try line.
Dan Middleton received the ball and finally, after an elusive cross field run Dan planted the ball in the left hand corner, for the 14s first score in two games.
The conversion from Matt McLean just missed for a score of 4-46.
The 14s had a stronger second half restricting Cabonne to twenty-six points [full time 66-4] and the combinations are starting to appear as possessions increases so more is hoped for this weekend against West Wyalong.
Top tacklers for the 14s were Luke Watt 22, Beau Mc Naught 15, Gerard Eppulston 14, and Harry Myers & Kane Earsman 9.
Best in the go forward were Beau McNaught 11, Troy Jenkins 8, Dan Middleton 7 and Gerard Eppulston 6.
Under 16s
The Under 16s started a little slowly with Cabonne running in two trys before the 16s could settle down.
Brad Bowman led the way from up front with some bone-jarring hit ups and tackles which had spectators wincing at their ferocity.
Brendan Traves was steady under pressure as he caught a Cabonne kick in his own quarter and stifled another Cabonne attack.
Sean Wyburn and Stuart Gavin had strong runs through the middle of the ruck and the Tigers were finally on the attack.
After numerous hit ups Jesse Jenkins finally crossed the tryline dragging his usual four defenders.
Stuart Scott converted the try and the Tigers trailed 6-10.
Opportunist Karl Maere latched on to a loose ball and charged over the half way line towards the Cabonne backs before he passed to the ever-present Haydon Hodge who sprinted away for the Tigers second try.
Stuart Scott guided the ball just inside the posts and the Tigers took the lead 12-10.
Cabonne scored two quick trys and the Tigers were again trailing by ten points before the little general at half back Nick Whatman reorganised the 14s and led by further strong hit ups from both props Jesse Jenkins and Brad Bowman play crept towards Cabonne's line.
Nick Whatman scored an unconverted try before Brad Bowman took the first hit up after a penalty tap right over the try line for another try to the Tigers.
After the conversion the score was 22-22 and the 14s were on the attack, unfortunately after a misplaced kick Cabonne finished up scoring at the other end.
Two more trys to Cabonne and the final score was 38-22 to Cabonne.
Canowindra plays West Wyalong at home this week so come and support the Tigers to see if we can make a clean sweep of wins across the age groups.
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