The Canowindra Tigers senior men's team have taken on all comers to win the Woodbridge Cup Knockout on the weekend after a 60 metre run and try from Callum Clyburn put the Grand Final against Eugowra Golden Eagles beyond doubt.
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With the game in the balance late, the try and eventual conversion from Fraser Ryder was crucial as the Tigers triumphed 30-21.
The contest was often fierce, with frequent appeals from Tigers supporters to the referees during the game.
The Tigers did have to work to get back into the game, with Eugowra capitalising on some errors early to get out to a 7-0 lead early in the game, capitalising on some Canowindra errors, despite largely being having control of the match.
However, they quickly got back on a square-pegging, with the scores level at half-time, before Eugowra pushed out yet again, quickly jumping to a 17-11 lead.
Eventually though, the contest levelled up, with as the Tigers pulled level, but not before pushing out to a 23-21 lead which allowed Clyburn to score the winning try and the knockout victory.
The win did not come without key personnel losses, with Matt Harrison injuring a knee - with speculation it could be an ACL, while coach Dan Barclay stepped up to play in the remaining matches as the playing squad's numbers dropped from 14 to 12 throughout the day.
The win came after a semi-final against Cargo that contained drama in its own right, with the Tigers coming back from an early 0-6 deficit thanks to strong play from Lindsay Thurgate, Nathan Whatman and Callum Clyburn, dominating the contest to eventually win 26-16.
Earlier in the day, the Tigers drew the touted Grenfell side early, but quickly got out to an 11-4 lead, before Grenfell pegged the lead back to a one point margin.
However, thanks to players like Aidan Baker, Curtis Hughes, the team quickly got back on track, in the end winning comfortably, 18-10.
The tournament win comes ahead of a Woodbridge Cup campaign where the Tigers will be looking to go beyond last year's elimination finals exit to the Manildra Rhinos.
The Tigers take on last year's premiers, the Trundle Boomers, in round one this coming Sunday afternoon.
Woodbridge Cup | Tigers Results
- First Round: Defeated Grenfell 18-10
- Semi-Final: Defeated Cargo 26-16
- Grand Final: Defeated Eugowra 30-21
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