Coach Luke Branighan expected Cowra to fly out of the blocks with their general Warren Williams posing a major threat. The Tigers responded through a pre-game tactic of sending plenty of traffic towards Williams all day, tiring him noticeably and blunting his influence.

Oberon opened their account at the 18-minute mark through a magnificent flat pass from Anton Wereta that rifled into Mike Ingwersen, who ran a perfect line to score. Wereta converted to level the scores at 6-all. The Tigers hit the after-burners and the likes of Tui Oloapu, Dave Sellers and Jake Dawes punched holes up the middle of the Cowra defence to have Oberon well and truly on the front foot.

Exciting new signing Mathew Wakefield, playing in the back-row, entered the fray and straight away the Oberon supporters knew they were on a winner, watching his powerful surges and brutal defence rattle the Cowra boys. Oberon’s blockbusting Abel Lefaoseu set his sights on the Magpies line, barging over while flirting with the sideline to take the score out to 10-6 in favour of the visitors.

With 10 minutes remaining in the first half and the Tigers running amok, the ever-dangerous Blake Miller, playing in the 7 jersey, cut the Magpies open with an elusive run to give Oberon great field position. 

Off the back of Miller’s run, Anton Wereta, with drone-like accuracy, put up a cross-field kick for Tyler Hughes to leap high and score Oberon’s third try and send the Tigers to the sheds up 16-6.

As expected, Cowra came out in the second half re-focused and for the first 13 minutes the game was a real arm-wrestle. 

After a great kick chase from Tyler Hughes, that saw Oberon get a repeat set close to the Magpies line, the Tigers increased their lead through a surging Dave Sellers try close to the posts. 

The Tigers skipped out to a 22-6 lead with plenty of running left in their legs.

Shortly after, Wereta again put up a pinpoint accurate kick for Hughes to claim before sending Abel Lefaoseu over for his second try of the day to extend the Tigers’ lead to 26-6 in a dominant display. 

The final nail in the Magpies’ coffin came with 16 minutes remaining. 

In what was the best try of the day, the Tigers attacked the left edge, sending Jackson Brien away before linking up with Josh Rivett who handed off to Matt Ballinger in a slick interchange of passes. 

Wereta converted Ballinger’s try to leave the final score at 32-6 in favour of the Tigers. 

Coach Branighan, sidelined with a broken thumb, said it was hard to pick a standout player after the game, with so many great performances. 

He said the balance of the team is about where he wants it and he is excited as the Tigers make their run to the finals. 

Anton Wereta was voted man of the match and players’ player, with Jake Dawes and Abel Lefaoseu picking up points as well.

First division went down to Cowra 18-12 in a fiery clash. Captain/coach Dallas Booth scored a double, but it wasn’t enough to run down a 12-4 half-time deficit. Bailey Rogers took on the Cowra pack all game and was rewarded with the players’ player and man of the match awards.

The under 18s staged a miraculous comeback to draw their game 20-20 after trailing 14-0 at half time. The women’s league tag side continues to improve and gamely went down 20-4. 

Oberon sit in third place on the Group 10 ladder on 16 points behind Bathurst Panthers and Orange CYMS on 21 points.

Oberon play Lithgow Workies this weekend.