THE Batemans Bay Tigers first grade team’s stingy defence paved the way for a 20-12 win against Cooma Stallions at Mackay Park on Sunday.
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The Stallions were slow to start and a bit complacent and the home side took advantage with some enterprising play.
Jacob Hill scored a fine individual try when he ran 40 metres to go under the sticks.
Brent Pan backed this up with another try which gave the Bay a 10-nil lead at half-time.
Cooma looked a different side after it regained composure at the half-time break.
The visitors’ forward pack began to establish its dominance and was aggressive in defence.
However, the Bay stood tall on its try line; a facet of the game the Tigers had been inconsistent with in previous weeks.
The war of attrition turned in Cooma’s favour after the Bay dropped some balls and had a couple of ordinary kicks.
The visitors scored two quick tries through Todd Williams and Gareth Knowles and hit the front, 12-10.
The Bay had chances to retake the lead but squandered three opportunities and 20 minutes from full-time, it began to look ominous.
Momentum was swung the Bay’s way when Pan came to the rescue.
He leapt out in defence and intercepted a pass with 70 metres to run.
Unfortunately he was chased down 30 metres out but the Bay used the quick ball and Hill scored his second try, giving his side a 14-12 lead.
Fullback Mick Tadich showed his class and sealed the win when he sliced through a tiring defence to score out wide.
Hill added the extras with a difficult side line conversion and the Bay turned out 20–12 winners.
Captain Mason Harrison said he thought the team was starting to turn its season around.
“When the game got tough they worked hard together and fought for the win. It wasn’t easy,” Harrison said.
“It was really gutsy and they played together after a pretty slow week.”
Harrison attributed the win to his team’s defence and lauded Gerard Dennis’ game.
“Our defence has really tightened up,” he said.
“The guys are working hard at it.
“The forward pack has lifted their game and Gerard Dennis has really lifted.
“I also feel that our whole team is starting to gel and play for our community and each other.”
Club spokesman John Ladmore said the halves, Harrison and Pan, outshone their rivals and paved the way for an encouraging win.
“There were big games from Gerard Dennis, Billy Zahra, Marcus Golman and Baden Payne,” Ladmore said.
“Scott Belcher, Marcus Neal and Mick Sinclair were strong off the bench and Tadich, Cowling, Warren Potts, Brent Parker, Ashbee Reid and Mitch Freeman had the Cooma boys contained out wide.
“Ashbee in particular looked dangerous with his touches.”
Next weekend the club is off to Narooma before the June long weekend bye.
Harrison said his team should expect a fiery Devils’ outfit.
“I think it’s going to be hard. We gave them a bit of a slapping last time and they’re going to want to put it on us,” he said.