In a fiercely fought contest the Tigers beat Kandos to extend their lead in the premiership by six points.

Oberon maintained their unbeaten run at the expense of the Waratahs but not before they were pushed to the final minute of the game.

With strong defence a highlight it was Waratahs’ Steve Madden who laid the framework for the next 80 minutes with his big hit in the first tackle of the day.

Both sets of forwards involved themselves in the heavy tackling, with neither side giving any latitude.

It was 20 minutes into the game before Oberon spotted a chink in the Waratahs’ defence for the Tigers’ Jamie O’Neill to cross for the first score of

the day.

Dallas Booth converted the try and the score remained at 6-0 for the next 20 minutes until Oberon were penalised on the halftime siren.

From centrefield and 40 metres out Cameron Quarmby kicked the goal to take the score at the break 6-2.

On resumption of play Oberon were first to score again after two minutes with a Brendan Preston try.

Down 10-2 the Waratahs forced their way back into the game when Roy Aguirre threaded his way through the defence to score near the posts, giving Quarmby an easy conversion attempt.

The ferocity of the tackling ensured there would be flare-ups but referee Tony Bell ruled with firm control and did a good job keeping the two

sides apart.

Both teams attacked strongly with the ball to put pressure on the line but the defence was so tight there was little room for much flair, and in the last 25 minutes of the second half both sides went within centimetres of scoring on a number

of occasions.

After Aguirre’s try in the 50th minute to take the score to 8-10 it was always going to be a case of the next to score would win the game.

In a good attacking raid by the Waratahs in the final five minutes, Aguirre took the last pass to go across the Tigers’ line but was recalled by the referee for a forward pass.