The Blue Heelers’ off-season recruits made their mark, giving the side a distinct size advantage in the forwards.

Aiming to start their season on a high, there were some strong signs early for the Tigers, with new captain/coach Tim Del Guzzo crossing over for the first try of the match.

Bombala soon hit back through Adam Rodwell, before fullback Bailey Jones cut through the Tigers’ defence to hand his side a 12-6 lead heading into the break.

The home team stole back the momentum early in the second, with a double to Sean Connell putting them back in the lead 18-12.

It was to be the Bay’s last score of the game when classy play by Paul Perkins drew in multiple defenders allowing him to pass to Luke Ingram who went over the line untouched locking the scores 18 all.

Fantastic efforts in defence by the Heelers and the injection of Nick Ryan from the bench and strategic runs by Murray Jackson, Adam Rodwell and Joe Bobbin allowed the brute strength of Wame Belolevu to muscle over the line putting Bombala in front 22-18.

Another try from a combination of Perkins and Sami Buinimasi close to the line brought the score to 26-18.

“With eight minutes left on the clock, came the try of the day with the ball travelling through at least nine sets of hands before seeing points scored,” a spokesperson for the Blue Heelers said.

“It was a flying Zac Slater who had the final support from Andrew Guthrie who caught the ball and went over the line untouched to score the final points for the game.

A Heelers spokesperson said,” With the farthest away game now out of the way early, the Heelers look forward to hosting their first home game of the season on Sunday, April 9 against the Bega Club.”

“The club invites everyone to come along and show their support for the players across the three grades in what should surely be an entertaining day of football.”

See the full match report from the Reserve Grade, Ladies League Tag and First Grade report online at bombalatimes.com.au