Playing at home against the Macleay Valley Rangers they looked dangerous every time they went forward, though the physicality of the visitors proved tough to overcome in a very entertaining first half. 

The breakthrough came just before halftime when a blistering strike from Mitch Minors hit the underside of the crossbar, with the ball being shepherded into the goal by a very alert Jack Yeates. 

Ron Schumann’s wise words at halftime saw the home side begin to break down the Rangers’ attempts at playing the offside trap in the second half and the number of scoring chances for the Tigers escalated. 

Yeates smashed in a second with his left foot after a fine assist from skipper Jason Ward, and Ward was the provider again for the Tigers third after some great interplay with Yeates saw him through into space. The crowd fully expected Ward to pull the trigger, but after faking the shot he cut the ball back to the onrushing Zac Mooney, who gleefully buried the ball into the back of the net to put the Tigers three up. 

“The whole team played well,” assistant coach Tim Barber said. 

“Pete Goonan and Codey Chick were dominant in defence and that set a platform for the whole side to play to their potential.” 

Zac Mooney was voted players player, and the large crowd went home happy after seeing some great football. 

The Tigers are away to Old Bar in the last game of the first round next Saturday, and are expecting a very tough encounter.

Reserve grade report: