The Batemans Bay Tigers two-and-a-half-year drought is over after a solid 32-18 victory over the Bega Roosters at Mackay Park in round one of the Group 16 season.
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The Tigers have been busy this past offseason, signing a number of high-profile recruits to bolster their struggling first-grade side.
The new recruits all came up big on Sunday, with Luke Farmer, Sean Deaves, Adam McCann, and Peter Lett all getting over the stripe in their first game.
Deaves in particular was brilliant for the Tigers, scoring a hat-trick of tries, and providing the try-assist for McCann’s four-pointer.
The Tigers started the stronger side, as the new grunt in the forward-pack won the early territorial battle.
Batemans Bay turned their early run into points, as Deaves ducked in from dummy-half to open the scoring.
Deaves was involved again for the Tigers second try, as his clean line-break led to Adam McCann running away to score.
It was almost an early hat-trick of tries for the Tigers, as Deaves once again found himself in space off the ensuing kick off. The inside pass was ruled forward however, and the Roosters took full advantage as Mitch Carter crashed over to make the score 12-6.
It’s emotional for the town, it’s unbelievable. It’s like a grand final, and it’s only round one.
- Luke Farmer
The Tigers weren’t done however, as a late Michael Tadich offload sent Deaves in for his second try of the afternoon. Farmer missed a fairly simple conversion to leave the score 16-6 at half time.
The Roosters needed a spark to get back in to the contest, but any hope of a comeback was dashed with two quick tries to Farmer and Deaves.
Farmer broke two tackles on his way to a solid solo effort, while Deaves backed up a clean line break to build a 28-6 lead.
The Roosters stemmed the bleeding from that point forward, with the only remaining blemish on their line a Peter Lett try in the corner.
Despite being soundly beaten on the day, Ryan Apps and Zac Cuzner scored late tries to make the final scoreline more respectable.
Tigers Captain-Coach Luke Farmer said during the week his main goal was to win a game, and expressed delight at the way his side won.
To come away with a win like that, especially with a lot of new blood in the side, you couldn’t ask for much better.
- Sean Deaves
“We won by a fair few tries and played as a team,” he said.
“It’s emotional for the town, it’s unbelievable. It’s like a grand final, and it’s only round one.”
Farmer heaped praise on gun recruit Sean Deaves.
“He’s a superstar,” he said. “He can play anywhere on the paddock, and once he gets his position, he’s going to be lethal all year.”
Deaves said he’s enjoying his footy after a big move to the Far South Coast.
“I’m in a good space at the moment, life’s working out for me after a big transition,” he said.
“I didn’t have much desire to play footy, but I’m starting to feel it and enjoy it.”
Deaves believes that the Tigers will have a successful season if they show the same attitude all year.
“If we have the same attitude we had today, I think we’ll go alright,” he said.
“To come away with a win like that, especially with a lot of new blood in the side, you couldn’t ask for much better.”
