Port Saints had more recently been showing some form, with several narrow losses against more fancied opposition indicating some potency in attack being negated by problems in their defence.

This again proved to be the case, with the Tigers making some early inroads against a nervous defensive group that looked suspect under pressure.

A reshaped front three of Matt Whight, Jack Yeates and Jake Camilleri were creating some good chances, the best of which came to Matt Whight who turned his marker sharply, only to see his effort roll agonisingly wide with the keeper beaten.

It wasn’t all one way traffic though, as Saints looked to utilise their wide men consistently, often outflanking the Tigers’ defence but unable to create many clear chances.

Eventually the pressure told though, and the Tigers took the lead through Matt Whight, who finally opened his account for the home side with a deflected shot that left the Saints keeper with no chance.

Whight doubled his tally shortly after, when some quick combination play down the right flank saw Yeates able to lay the ball square to Whight who smashed the ball into the net. 

Rather than go into their shell though, the Saints to their credit were quickly back into the contest, with Aaron Oppeidisano finding a rare bit of space to play his winger, and the resultant cut back was well finished.

At 2-1 the contest tightened, but the Tigers were able to gain some breathing space when Yeates bagged a third, tapping home a beautiful cushioned pass from Camilleri, who in turn had been on the end of a scorching cross from Whight.

With a half-time scoreline of 3-1 it looked like the game was in the bag for the Tigers, and unfortunately they started the second half as though they thought it was.

A Saints attack again caught the Tigers ball watching with little more than five minutes of the second half gone, and a simple tap in made the score 3-2.

For the next 10 minutes it looked as though the Saints would equalise, but misfortune struck twice as Oppeidisano limped off, as did another Saints player, and the resultant loss of genuine threat on goal saw the Tigers again seize control of the game.

The last 15 minutes became a shooting gallery, but the game was not made safe until five minutes before the end when super sub Will Moran was on hand to finish his second goal in three games off the first grade bench, after a great cross by Jake Bindon.

The Tigers almost added another two late on, but in the end the score remained TFFC Tigers 4 Port Saints 2.

Jaidyn Kianou narrowly won the Tigers' player’s player vote from Mark Mallia.

Both had superb matches, with Kianou effectively nullifying the Saints main threat.

Pete Goonan was again an immense presence in the Tigers’ defensive line, and injected himself into the attack at key moments.

Jake Camilleri had one of his best games for the Tigers, threatening whenever in possession, and tracking back hard in defence.

With some perhaps unexpected results in other matches on the weekend, the Tigers are now back up into third spot, within two points of the second-placed Redbacks.

The Tigers travel back up to Kempsey this weekend to take on Macleay Valley Rangers, who sit just two points behind them and will be looking to make amends for a drubbing received at the hands of competition leaders Wallis Lake last time out. 

After an uncharacteristically poor performance against Kempsey Saints last week, the Tigers reserves were looking to return to the style of play that has seen them rise to second spot on the reserve grade table.

The side welcomed back Mick Youngberry, Thomas Hallot and Dave Hardy to the starting line-up, and began very well, with good combinations leading to multiple chances to score.

Eventually they took the lead through Adam Christensen with a good finish.

However, Saints’ reserves were much improved on their previous encounter with the Tigers, and managed to fight their way back into the game, forcing a great save from Clay Cooper in the Tigers goal.

Despite several good scoring opportunities, the Tigers were unable to extend their lead and the match finished TFFC Tigers 1 Port Saints 0.

Dave Hardy was a deserving player’s player. 

The Tigers stayed on the winner’s list as they defeated Moorland 4-1 at home on Tigers’ Day on Saturday, with goals to Steve Howard, Kurt Riddell, Chris Ceccato and Aaron Cassar.

The win sees the Tigers just three points behind Wingham Wanderers, who they defeated on their last outing, and is a good confidence boost as they take on runaway competition leaders Old Bar.

Team spokesman Brad Butcher said:  “We are a more cohesive unit now than when we last played the Barbarians.

“We are looking forward to putting on a much better performance against them this time.”

Kurt Riddell was players’ player for the Tigers.

Friday night saw the Tigerettes take on competition heavyweights Green Point Rovers at Boronia Park, with coach Matt Thompson varying the Tigerettes playing shape and game plan to try to ensure all three points were taken, and to reverse the narrow loss that occurred last time the teams met.

The Tigerettes began well, with good possession based football in contrast to their opponent’s more direct style.

Meghan Lambert put the Tigers in front in the first half, and from there they were not headed, despite some narrow misses from the Rovers.

In the end the Tigerettes were not overjoyed with the win, knowing they could play much better than they showed on Friday night.

“I think we got a bit nervous once we were in front,” assistant coach Pete Ragno said.

“But we will take the win no matter what.”

The win puts the Tigerettes six points clear at the top of the table, and only one more win away from the premiership.

Cath Baker was player’s player.

In an all Tigers affair on Tigers Day, TFFC Black and TFFC Gold went head to head at Tuncurry on Saturday morning in very blustery conditions.

Tigers Black were enjoying having a full starting 11 at their disposal after playing short last week and losing narrowly as a result.

David Rowe was a standout in the number six role for Tigers Black, with Matt Crowther playing strongly in the same position for Tigers Gold.

Tigers Black ran out the eventual winners, but it was the Gold team that produced the single best highlight of the match, with a sensational first time volley across his body by Ty Aurisch looking goal bound, only to be kept out by an equally spectacular save by stand-in goalkeeper Billy Newman.

Top quality from both sides.

The table-topping Tigers Black are once again facing the prospect of playing short this week, this time against Lansdowne, as unusual scheduling by FMNC sees the junior fixture clash with an away fixture for Premier League.

Tigers Black need only one more win to secure the 2016 under 18 premiership, and to go on to the FMNC Zone under 18 champion’s series as the top southern team.