THE Batemans Bay Tigers returned to the winners' list on Saturday night when they held off a determined Shellharbour City Sharks in a thriller to win 23-22 at Mackay Park.

In a high quality match, the Tigers led 10-nil in the opening minutes and 16-6 at halftime before the Sharks hit back to level at 16-all and set up a nail-biting final 20 minutes.

The Bay looked sharp early and tries to lock Marcelo Loustau and Dale Wright, (after a brilliant chip and regather from five-eighth Aaron Brieley) and a conversion to fullback Nathan Wood in the opening ten minutes took them to a 10-0 lead. The Sharks hit back through winger Josh Champion and a sideline conversion by Matt Coelho. Tigers prop Christian Laffin scored from close range close to halftime and Wood's conversion gave them a 16-6 lead.

The game swung around immediately after halftime when the Sharks scored out wide through centre Jamie Manukonga and minutes later Nathan Cooper found a gap up the middle and Coelho's conversion made it 16-all.

The game developed into an arm-wrestle and a penalty goal to Wood with 15 minutes remaining edged the Tigers back in front and with eight minutes remaining, centre Adrian Neeves raced over out wide to give the Bay a 22-16 lead.

With time running out the Bay suffered a blow when workaholic lock John Ralston suffered a serious leg injury. He became the first player evacuated from the field in the new medicab. Only seconds later his brother and halfback Ben slotted a field-goal to give the home side a seven-point lead.

But true to form, the Sharks weren't about to give up just yet and with 90 seconds remaining, fullback Coelho dived over and converted, but it was a too little too late and the Bay held on for a 23-22 win.

Tigers captain-coach Mick Elliott had a superb game and was a popular choice as his side's best, and had great support from Marcelo Loustau, Ben Ralston and Nathan Wood, while Jamie Manukonga, Mark Zwolsman and Gary Breakspear were best for the plucky Sharks.

The Tigers reserve grade side lost 28-14 to the Sharks and despite a stirring comeback, the under 18s went down 40-32.

First grade: Batemans Bay Tigers 23 (D Wright, A Neeves, C Laffin, M Loustau tries, N Wood 3 goals, B Ralston field-goal) beat Shellharbour City Sharks 22 (M Coelho, J Manukonga, J Champion, N Cooper tries M Coelho 3 goals).