BATEMANS Bay Tigers pounced on the Bega Roosters to win 25-18 at Mackay Park in round 12 of the Group 16 first grade competition on June 28.
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Before the kick-off, a minute silence was observed for Sunshine Coast Falcons' player James Ackerman, who passed away on Tuesday after he was injured in a tackle on June 20.
Second-phase play lead by Batemans Bay's Gerard Dennis put the Tigers on the front foot early on.
The home side was efficient in its execution and exploited its extra numbers on the left-hand side as Mick Tadich and Mitch Freeman crossed the try line within the first eight minutes.
Bega had its chances with back-to-back long range line breaks giving it good field position, however, the Roosters ball control when in an attacking position left a little to be desired.
After 20 minutes, the Tigers scored their third try after halfback James Thomas' bomb was tapped back into the Tigers hands.
They quickly shifted the ball to the opposite side of the field and Ashbee Reid hit a hole before passing to Dennis, who bumped off a defender before scoring.
Minutes later Batemans Bay was in attacking position after a penalty.
The Bay went left and Freeman scored his second, diving for the corner past the cover defence.
Good support play by Tadich, who ran half the field untouched, gave him his second try and Batemans Bay led 24-nil after 32 minutes.
The Roosters hit back late in the first half with a converted try to Luke Dowole and trailed 24-6 at half-time.
In the second stanza Bega scored two converted tries while Thomas' field goal was the only Tigers point.
The upset gives Batemans Bay's final chances a boost while Bega drops to second place, on point difference, after Moruya beat Eden 30-16.
The heavily depleted Tigers' reserve grade side hung on to win 15-14 against Bega.
Charlie Nye slotted the match-winning field goal with three minutes remaining.
However, Bega's under 18s showed why its the top team in Group 16, with a dominant 54-28 win against a gallant but undermanned Tigers' outfit.