The Eden Tigers are still struggling to find traction, but fell short by less than 10 points against the Bombala Blue Heelers over the weekend.
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Travelling to the Bombala Showground, the Tigers took on the brisk conditions, but came off second best 34-26 to the hosts in first grade.
Young representative player Zac Slater backed himself on some precarious plays and made it work, scoring himself two four-pointers on the day in a best-on-ground showing.
The match shaped as a war of attrition with both front lines working hard to hold up play as the outside backs were the ones finiding room to score points.
Eden fullback Joel Grewar had another solid performance and earned himself a try on the day, while lock Adam Leech also found the line in an attacking raid.
Eden’s final try for the day was scored by centre Jon Winslett, while kicker John Aldridge put three of five through the posts.
It was a similar scenario on the reverse for Bombala with a series of individual try-scorers making runs out of the back line.
Fullback Andrew Lomas and winger Charlie Guthrie both found the try-line as did the club’s lock and hooker.
The reserve grade match-up saw the Cobargo-Bermagui Eels coming out on top over their opposition 26-24 in a hard-fought match.
Bomabala front rower Chris Halligan was able to power his way through the defensive line, scoring two tries on the day.
However, Eels five-eighth Joel Anderson returned fire with tries of his own and was well supported by Tas Neil and Sean Lambert.
Things looked dubious at the break for the visiting Eeels with the hosts in front 12-6, but a reinvigorated defence in the second half all but stopped the Blue Heelers’ charge.
Bomabala’s Rosten brothers proved a handful with Alex and Nick both scoring a try apiece.
However, it was the Eels with some sweeping plays and accurate kicking getting the edge in the second half to secure the win.
Earlier in the league-tag contest, the Tigerettes had another rough trot, going down to the rampant High Heelers 22-6.
To Eden’s credit, it was one of the lowest scoring affairs yet this season for the Bombala club that is shaping as a premiership favourite.
Eden’s solitary try was scored by the agile Ebony Dykhoff-Darrington and the conversion ably added by Chelise Cassie.
However, the High Heelers are still the team to beat and proved a little too difficult to contain on the day.
Scoring for the hosts was headed by hooker Patrice Clear, who grounded a pair of tries.
Natasha Stewart and Tanika Hampshire also scored four-pointers.
This weekend pits the Tigers against classic rival Bega at the Bega Recreation Ground with the first game at 10.30am.