An understrength Tenterfield Tigers side pulled off a tough, four point-win against Bingara Bullets in their round two Group 19 encounter.
The Tigers took a 15-man side to Bingara and managed to hold on to the lead when the full-time siren sounded.
Scores were locked up 16-all at half-time with the Bullets scoring on the hooter to close the gap.
Tenterfield posted the first try of the second half before Bingara drew level again to 22-all.
The Tigers scored back-to-back tries to hit the front 32-22 before the hosts scored moments before full-time to bring the final score to 32-28.
“Due to injuries and some other committments, boys couldn't make it,” Tenterfield captain-coach Brendan Minns said.
“We were down on numbers but toughed it out in the end and came away with a good win.
“We were flat on our feet for the last 10 and even in the back 10 minutes of the first half, we were run out with no subs
“James Springborg played through a groin injury that he got five minutes into the game and he toughed it out.
“He was running on one-and-a-half legs.”
Tenterfield finished the game well and truly fatigued but Minns was proud of the effort and said it is a big boost for the side’s confidence.
“I said to the boys before the game ‘these are sort of season defining moments when your back is up against the wall and you are down on numbers, you really find out who is there to play footy and who is there to dig in for their mates’ and that really showed on Saturday,” he said.
“Everyone got in and had an extremely good game.
“Everyone got involved and worked as hard has they could. Our backs were unreal coming in helping out our big boys, it was just a great team effort.
“We aren't getting too far ahead of ourselves but we are pretty happy with how we are travelling at the moment.”
Tenterfield have the bye this weekend before they play Ashford.
With a handful of players battling minor injuries, Minns said the break comes at a good time for the club.
“Very handy. We have five boys that have little, niggling injuries so the week off comes at a great time for us to let those boys get over that first hit of injuries.
“We can sit back and have a week off, we will still train and be prepared for Ashford in two weeks time.”
Tenterfield’s youngest member of the team Geoffrey Swan earned the players’ player award.
“He was one of our best, he played in the centres and was extremely solid for us,” Minns said.
“He got through a heap of work.”
Ellen Dunger
Originally from the Blue Mountains, I spent my teenage years in the Riverina at boarding school before moving to Bathurst in 2012 to complete Bachelor of Sport Studies/ Bachelor of Communications (journalism) at Charles Sturt University. I started my career at The Blayney Chronicle in May 2015 and worked casually, one day a week at the Central Western Daily later on that year. I moved to Armidale in March 2016 to take on the role as the Northern Tablelands' sports journalist. Played a variety of sports in my lifetime including touch football, league tag, gymnastics, dance, cross country running and equestrian. Always happy to hear news and tips. www.facebook.com/ellendungerjournalist/
Originally from the Blue Mountains, I spent my teenage years in the Riverina at boarding school before moving to Bathurst in 2012 to complete Bachelor of Sport Studies/ Bachelor of Communications (journalism) at Charles Sturt University. I started my career at The Blayney Chronicle in May 2015 and worked casually, one day a week at the Central Western Daily later on that year. I moved to Armidale in March 2016 to take on the role as the Northern Tablelands' sports journalist. Played a variety of sports in my lifetime including touch football, league tag, gymnastics, dance, cross country running and equestrian. Always happy to hear news and tips. www.facebook.com/ellendungerjournalist/
