Tigers on top at half way

With a minute left on the clock the Tigers held an eight point lead over the Eagles off the back of great defence before the wall finally broke, allowing the home side to get within two points at the bell, going down 18-16.

The closeness of the game wasn't a surprise to Tigers captain Ron Lawrence.

"We always new it was going to big a big game," Lawrence said.

Off the back of a lop-sided penalty count the Golden Eagles had their chances but in the end it was the Tigers defence that made the difference.

"I didn't think (our discipline) had been going too bad, we've been giving away a few penalties but with different referees interpretation is going to be different. It's just something we have to deal with," Lawrence said.

The Tigers outscored the Eagles four tries to three with Bailey Kennedy leading the way with two tries.

"We played pretty well in the first half and then just allowed Eugowra too much ball in the second half and were able to hold on for the win.

"We had no real standouts but Bailey Kennedy went well and "Wally" Gaitor is getting better and better each game."

The competition takes a break this weekend for the June longweekend with the Tigers then facing CSU followed by the Cowra Magpies.

"We know we've still got a lot to work on, we've got some big games coming up with CSU, Cowra and Manildra still to play.

"We don't have an easy run home so every game we're going to have to be switched on and ready to go."

In League Tag the undefeated Tigeresses also received a scare being down 10-4 at one stage before storming home for a 16-10 win.

The Tigresses points came from Laura Price, Amy Harrison and Ludie Rogers with Hayley White and Indigo Heard adding two conversions.

League tag coach Andrew Pull couldn't be happier with his side's progress.

"While they're undefeated its the improvement in the girls that we're over the moon with," Pull said.

"We had a pretty good year last year and I thought if we could improve a little we'd start better than we did last season when we lost three of the first six (games).

"The majority of the girls had a really good pre-season in February and March with a lot of skill work and running.

"On the weekend we were down 10-4 and scored two late tries to win. I put that down to the hard work they did in the pre-season.

"We lost Jade Harding who was the player of the season last year but we picked up Laura Price who has been an absolute sensation with her speed and ability."

Price is the leading try scorers for the Tigresses so far in 2024 and sits second on the Woodbridge Cup leading try scorer table.

"I love the attitude she brings to training and games, she's friendly and positive.

"And Amy Harrison was pretty good last year and this year has really excelled at fullback, taking the ball on the full and running 20 metres on the fly.

"Her defence at the back, when players get through, I don't think she has missed one.

"On the weekend when we were down we put Kelly and Laura Price on one side of the field and their sisterly intuition saw Kelly put Laura through a hole on a way for 80 metres and from the next play we scored.

"It's nice having players who are so close and have a good connection.

"The side is all best friends, they just get on so well the whole lot of them. They're a pretty tight knit group always smiling and ready to play" Pull said.

The Canowindra Tigers Youth League side were easy winners, 32-14, over Warriors.

In other Woodbridge Cup results last weekend

First grade - Manildra 46 defeated Bathurst CSU 18, Trundle 60 defeated Oberon 16, Warriors 46 defeated Cargo 18, Molong 50 defeated Grenfell 16, Peak Hill 34 defeated Blayney 22. Cowra had the bye.

League Tag - Manildra 44 defeated Bathurst CSU 4, Trundle 18 defeated Oberon 10, Warriors 46 defeated Cargo 12, Molong 18 defeated Grenfell 12, Peak Hill 40 defeated Blayney 8.

Youth League - Canowindra 32 defeated Warriors 14, Cowra 44 defeated Blayney 10, Molong 32 defeated Grenfell 24.