Tigers to host Knights at Aberdeen
BY ALEX TIGANI
The Greater Northern Tigers will enter this Saturday’s second round at Aberdeen’s McKinnon Oval with confidence following two impressive wins against the North Coast Bulldogs.
The Tigers’ competing sides are made up of players, coaches and officials our region’s Group 21 as well as neighbouring Groups 4 and 19.
For the second straight year the under-16 line-up commenced their Andrew Johns Cup campaign with a win against the North Coast Bulldogs at Coffs Harbour.
Last year the grand final bound line-up captured a 24-18 win, one which may not have been replicated when the Bulldogs held a 10-4 lead on Saturday.
Nevertheless the Tigers, coached by Werris Creeks’ Cody Tickle, prevailed 14-10 thanks to two tries from Singleton Greyhound Charlie Lennard.
After a poor record at under-16 level in 2021 and a winless under-18 campaign last year, it appeared to be another tough day at the office for the Tigers’ top tier squad.
The under-18 line-up, coached by Scone legend Darryl Rando, trailed 26-0 when Macksville Sea Eagle Finnian Walsh celebrated a successful conversion with 15 minutes remaining.
Remarkably, Rando’s young men would fight back to celebrate a miracle 30-26 win thanks to two late tries from vice-captain Callum Dowell.
Fellow Scone Thoroughbred Dylan Keane silenced the crowd with the winning try.
The Tigers’ development side will playoff against the Canterbury Bulldogs at 9:30am before hosting the Newcastle Maitland Knights in the Andrew Johns Cup (11am) and Laurie Daley Cup (12:20pm).