OBERON have continued their Group 10 premier league resurgence with a fourth straight win yesterday over the Bathurst Panthers, 16-14.

In a tight, tough and physical contest which was in the balance right until the final whistle, the Tigers had to soak up plenty of second half pressure against the Panthers and were forced to come from behind to keep their 2016 record intact.

A try with 10 minutes to play to Riccie Arriola provided the defining moment for the hosts at their Lowes Mount Road base, and it will be a game that both sides will walk away from with plenty to encourage them.

For the home side, the fact that they won with minimal impact from ex-NRL star George Rose, who left the field after 20 minutes and didn’t return thanks to a hamstring complaint, was still a positive sign.

They also endured a run of seven straight penalties in the second half but somehow managed to repel the Bathurst side.

On the other hand, Panthers were forced to play without first choice fullback Jeremy Gordon, who is still battling a neck injury picked up in round two against Blayney, and half-back Claude Gordon who was a withdrawal thanks to an ankle problem.

It leaves Panthers in sixth with two wins and two defeats, but they have hardly been disgraced in their losses and manager Danny Dwyer said the player group was trying to stay positive after the game.

“They are disappointed to miss out on the two points but they played a pretty strong opponent and managed to lead for almost the entire game,” he said.

“It was a tough day weather-wise for both sides. It was very windy and a bit slippery, at times we lacked a little bit with the ball in hand. Trent Hotham came into the halves for Claude and Jay McClintock came into the starting 13 for Jeremy.

“They both did a good job, but there’s no doubt we’re at our best when Claude and Jeremy are out there, so that will make a difference.

“At one stage we had a run of seven straight penalties in the second half, but Oberon, to their credit, defended brilliantly and they really worked hard to earn their win.”

Panthers had the better of things in the first half, leading 6-0 just four minutes into the game thanks to a try from Jye Barrow and a conversion from player-coach Todd Barrow.

With 16 minutes gone they added to their lead as in-form representative centre Blake Lawson charged across to make it 10-0, but Oberon seemed spurred into action and began to work their way back into the game from there.

Anton Wereta crossed to get the Tigers on the board nearing the half-hour mark, Trent Rose converting to make it 10-6, before a penalty goal to Todd Barrow on the half-time siren made it a six point game at oranges.

After the resumption, the sides settled into a genuine arm-wrestle before a second penalty goal to Barrow looked to put the Panthers on the way to a valuable away win. Barely two minutes later, Blake Fitzpatrick struck for the Tigers, before Arriola’s effort put his team in front.

For Panthers Jye Barrow was strong and managed to split the points in an entertaining duel with opposite centre Abel Faifua-Lefaoseu, while Brent Seager drew praise from Dwyer for getting through 80 minutes unchanged.

OBERON TIGERS 16 (Riccie Arriola, Blake Fitzpatrick, Anton Wereta tries; Trent Rose 2 goals) defeated BATHURST PANTHERS 14 (Jye Barrow, Blake Lawson tries; Todd Barrow 3 goals)