At the Bega Recreation Ground, the lights flicked on early as storm clouds rolled overhead, but it was no deterrent to the hosts who secured the result 26-16.

The Roosters would not wait long for the opening points after some gutsy hit ups early in the piece led to good early pressure and Jesse Duchesne found the line right of the posts with a successful conversion putting them up 6-0.

The Bay response was capable, but scoring chances were left wanting.

The Tigers retaliated with some good metres up the middle and even some plays around the fringes that looked threatening, but unforced errors cropped up that returned play to the Roosters.

Just before the 20-minute drinks break the Bay finally broke through with the Tigers drawing the Bega defenders off the line before a short pass set the sizable number 19 loose to score under the posts at close range.

Both clubs settled into some back and forth sets through the middle but with a little over 10 minutes left on the clock, the Roosters found their next try through Josh Shepherdson right of the posts.

His four-pointer came on the back of a good close run by captain Scott Fuller who drew in three or four defenders, but wasn't fully wrapped up allowing a clever backside flick for Shepherdson to scoop the loose ball for the try.

The host club established a first-half dominance when they drew a penalty about 40 out from the Bay try-line with three minutes left in play.

A series of long cut-out passes eventually finding flanker Reece Moulden to score in the corner.

The Roosters led into the half 16-6 and were able to hold an advantage throughout play in the second half.

Earlier play had been left disjointed with an understrength Bay reserve side withdrawing at half time.

Officials said a number of players had been a no-show, while an injury during the first half left the club with just nine men on the field and play was abandoned.

However, the Tigers 18s provided a highlight for day, dominating play against the Roosters in a strong showing.