Captain/coach Brendan Minns said it was great to get the first home game off the ground, and a win on the board after losing to Killarney the previous week.

Despite the victory he saw a couple of areas needing improvement, especially considering this Saturday’s match against frontrunners Inglewood.

“We need to improve marker defence, and defence around the ruck,” Minns said.

“This weekend we play Inglewood and we’ll have to improve in the areas where we leaked some points.”

Minns said fitness continues to be an issue, with levels below where they need to be.

“A few of the boys walked off field, needing a rest. In these bigger games we’re going to have to tough it out.”

He will also be working on attack positions, encouraging players to keep some width in the line.

“In the first half it felt like we were playing with 14 or 15 players,” he said.

“We were too condensed.”

While the squad suffered badly from injuries in their first run, injuries against Stanthorpe were limited to a groin strain suffered by Minns for which he is seeing a physiotherapist on Wednesday.

“Hopefully it’s nothing major and we can sort it out, but Tuesday night training is out.”

Key player Adam Clothier – who received rib damage in the earlier game – lasted only a few minutes before leaving the field and Minns said his prospects are not looking fantastic.

Still Minns said the Tigers scored some great tries and there were lots of positives to take from the game.

Bruce Binge received three refs’ points, and Jake Adams was named Players’ Player for a great job in the second row.

“And the defence was impressive,” Minns said.

“The forwards got in and had a go, got us some metres and set the platform.”

It will be a big day of football this Saturday with the Junior Tigers also at home. Minns said it’s great for the club when both the juniors and seniors meet and play on one day, and possibly the juniors can watch any heroes they may have in the A grade.

He’s looking forward to the game against Inglewood, hoping the Tigers can contain their opponent’s score-trying sprees of 58-4 against Stanthorpe and 50-22 against Killarney so far this season.

“They’re the team to beat, and we can gauge where we stand. They’ve got a handy hooker who can do a lot of damage.

“But if we can get a good start like we have in the last two games – scoring two tries in the first 10 minutes – and put in a good defence effort, we can show the competition where we’re at.”