AN absolute thriller was played out in premier league between the Oberon Tigers and the Blayney Bears on Sunday with both sides fighting tooth and nail for the two points right through to the very end.
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Oberon was fresh off a bye, while their counterparts were on a high after their first win against Panthers the week previous.
It was the Tigers who showed great touch with some quality passes out to a high flying Reece Finlay, who took advantage to get around his opponent and score in the corner for the first four points.
Blayney were quick to reply after centre Michael Nixon found himself in a favourable overlap out wide to cross, squaring it up at 4-all.
The next 20 minutes saw both sides go close to scoring, with the ball going back and forth until Tigers’ half Steve Lane broke through with a brilliant individual try from a chip and chase. Lane converted and the Tigers were up 10-4.
Oberon took their slim lead to the break and you can bet more of the same was the orders from coach Scott Traynor for the second half.
After the break the Tigers hit the field as they left it with some strong performances. Kirk Roberts rolled up his sleeves and was able to carry four defenders over the line to push the Tigers out to 16-4 after Steve Lanes’ conversion.
Oberon almost looked like sealing the match early in the second half after Reece Finlay was again able to break the line and take off down the sideline, only for his pass back on the inside to go to ground.
This gave Blayney some momentum and captain coach Terawhiti Cooper was too much to handle for the Tigers as he found his way to the tryline.
With Terry Brown’s conversion the Tigers held a nervous 16-10 lead with 10 minutes to go.
Starved of possession, Oberon were on the back foot in the final quarter of the match and penalties did not help.
Terry Brown found his own four pointer and converted to tie it up at 16 apiece.
With only a minute on the clock a desperation penalty from the Tigers put them on the other side of halfway.
With one last chance to snatch victory, Steve Lane attempted a field goal which was unsuccessful after hitting the upright.
Full-time saw Oberon 16 draw with Blayney 16.
After the match coach Scott Traynor was happy with the boys’ first half effort, but said in the second half they went away from the game plan and did not play to the conditions which allowed their opponents back in the game.
Next week is a general bye for all Group 10 clubs and the following week the Tigers will head to Lithgow to take on Workies.
OBERON 16 Tries R FINLAY, S LANE, K ROBERTS Goals S LANE 2/3 drew with BLAYNEY 16 Tries M NIXON, T COOPER, T BROWN. Goals T BROWN 2/3.