Sunday saw the Great Southern Inn Tigers first grade team overwhelm a spirited Bulldogs outfit by 50-12.
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With a good crowd in attendance at George Brown Memorial Oval, it was the Bulldogs who struck first with a try in the opening five minutes.
However, it would be the only time the visitors would lead the match as the home side went on a try-scoring frenzy.
The Tigers landed 10 tries in a feast of points with outstanding halfback John Aldridge clearing five conversions and dominating play with his kicking game.
He also joined in the scoring with his first try of the season and set up plays around the ruck.
Once again Joe Stewart was in superb form and took out his third best and fairest in as many weeks.
The forwards set the platform with a dominant showing and fast-moves in defence to pressure their opponents.
The control up front allowed a free-flowing style in the Tigers backline, who scored seven of the 10 tries.
Ian Smith secured a double to continue his strong comeback from injury.
Smith’s experience is very evident and he has added a sense of stability to this very young back line.
The Tigers bench was good again with Elvis Tui and Kyran Crane adding plenty of impact when injected into play.
Meanwhile, Mark Grey and Adam Rodwell are improving with every game.
The club is confident this young side will put plenty of pressure on the competition leading Bega Roosters and Moruya Sharks as it develops each game.
The much anticipated clash of last year’s reserve grade grand finalists the Robert Michelin and Son Tigers and the premier Candelo Bemboka did not disappoint.
The game provided a thrill-a-minute with the Tigers going down 24-22 after a late try to the Panthers just before the siren.
Young winger James Schultz was outstanding for the Tigers to score a double of Eden’s four tries.
Andrew Evelyn and David Dixon also found the line.
Evelyn was in everything and worked hard throughout the encounter, while fullback Koorin Campbell was one of Eden’s best, showing great skill and determination in everything he did.
Captain-coach Alan Aldridge led by example and showed his class while Mac Longford returned from injury with a spirited effort.
The club said the side is full of talent, but needs to show Aldridge a bit more respect by showing up at training.
The team has the potential to go one better than last year and give the Group 16 premiership a real shake.
The Cuppas-sponsored ladies league-tag team went down in their two clashes.
The Merimbula-Pambula Hot Doggies prevailed in a tight contest 20-16.
The second clash against the Candelo Bemboka Pink Panthers also saw a very even game with Tigerettes girls going down by a mere four points, 14-10.
The first game saw Michelle Dixon and Rhiannon Richardson outstanding with Chelsie Cassie also taking out points in the best and fairest count with a great all round game.
Maddi Newton scored two tries in the second game against the Pink Panthers and worked tirelessly in attack and defence while Steph Douch took out the players’ player award with an outstanding game in tough conditions.
The Cempac Forestry-sponsored combined under 18 team travelled to Bega to take on the ladder-leading Roosters.
The Roosters showed their dominance to win 30-10.
Eden coach Mark Spink has some work to do with this young side, but he has a team full of talent.
The same opponents will meet again this Sunday at 11am at the Pambula Sporting Complex.
This will be one of the few opportunities for the club to be able to watch this young side as the seniors travel up the mountain to take on the Bombala club on Saturday afternoon.
The league-tag will launch the day, while the first grade game kicks off from 3pm.
A win could see the Tigers force their way in to third spot on the ladder.
The Tigers reserve grade side have the bye.