The premier league Tigers made a statement that they are intent on competing for the title with a solid effort and were unlucky to fall a game short of taking the prize.

On Friday night, first division bowed out after some crucial errors, despite some individual brilliance in defence. Some illdiscipline cost the boys, who really beat themselves. They could have easily accounted for their opponents but it was not to be, going down 6-4 in a gripping contest against Blayney.

Coach Darren Hotham was pleased with the defence which repelled consecutive goal line attacks from Blayney, who could have posted many more points but were turned away regularly.

Darren said he would like to see more of the boys at training to work on their attacking structures. With a bit more attitude and effort to training the first division side could really challenge hard in this season’s competition.

The Tigers’ premier league side were particularly strong over the weekend, accounting for Mudgee on Friday night with an 8-4 victory and advancing to the Saturday games.

After stamping their authority early in the knockout the premier league side was then pitted against Bathurst St Pat’s, who they have shared a great rivalry with since the club’s re-admission in 2012.

The Tigers threw everything at St Pat’s but were unlucky after having a try disallowed and a rare spill over the try line which ultimately would be the difference and cost the side a place in the final on Saturday afternoon.

Oberon were only narrowly beaten 10-8 but will take plenty of positives out of both matches.

Coaches Scott Traynor and Paul McDonald seemed quietly confident with the efforts of their premier league side leading into this season’s competition and were also paying credit to the defence in both senior sides over the weekend’s preseason event.

With the competition up and running on April 6 the Oberon Tigers have only one pre-season game left before the season kicks into full swing.

On March 30 the Tigers and Bathurst St Pat’s will hold a fundraiser/trial for Tracey Humphries, a Bathurst St Pat’s club member who is also the mother-in-law of Oberon Tigers’ enforcer Greg Behan.

Just two days after Christmas, Tracey’s family had a house fire which caused her family to lose everything as well as their six dogs. This fundraiser is for a very worthy cause for both clubs.

The Oberon Tigers will issue a $2 game entry fee and both the Oberon and Bathurst clubs will have raffles throughout the day with proceeds going to the family.

The trial will be a 20-30 man premier league team, and a first hit out for the girls’ league tag who have been back at training for a couple weeks with Greg Behan and Blake Miller doing a great job getting the girls prepared for this season.

The games will be at the Oberon sports Ground on the Sunday, March 30, with times to be advised.