THE Mid-West competition's pre-season knockout was held last Saturday at CSU Bathurst.
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It turned out to be a 'blue ribband' day for the Tigers with the ladies' league tag side featuring in their first ever grand finale, emerging victors over reigning premiers CSU in a thumping 20-0 display.
The men's first grade side shared the honours with Portland and CSU in a three-way tie after deciding not to play the grand final decider between qualifiers Oberon and CSU, with all three sides posting two wins and one defeat in stifling conditions.
The Tigers' only defeat was against CSU to the tune of 8-6 after the home team elected to take a late penalty shot to secure victory.
But the day belonged to the ladies' league tag side.
After a gripping first round 10-all draw with CSU, the Tigers went on to convincingly defeat Kandos and Portland to qualify for the big one, facing off against the powerful CSU outfit.
The nervous Tigers, in unfamiliar territory, knuckled down to the task and followed coach Shannon Foley's game plan to a tee.
Playing disciplined footy, they struck first through a Masey Taggart four-pointer out wide which Lourie Bailey converted with an almighty strike of the ball.
In the shadows of half-time, Renee Newstead showcased her skills as she chipped and regathered to score, further denting CSU's prospects as the Tigers sought the shade for a half-time break leading 10-0.
Foley was particularly pleased with her team's commitment and resolve in defence and urged her players to stay focused and concentrate on ball security in the second half.
The Tigers struck again as Bailey somehow managed to find the line in an 80-metre foot-race with CSU defenders hot in pursuit.
Despite her exhaustion, Bailey managed to convert her try and drive another nail in CSU's coffin as the Tigers had victory in sight with a 16-0 lead.
The Tigers wrapped up the game with Bec Fletcher icing the cake with another long-range 60-metre try to post the final scoreline of 20-0 to the Tiges.
Wild scenes followed as the team and supporters celebrated the milestone win.
Foley gave credit to all her players with each and every player giving it their all. The prospects for a successful 2021 look bright for the girls.
Dallas Booth had to reshuffle the deck for his men's side, with no fewer than four of his starting forward pack missing.
In the absence of Greg Behan, Luke Christie-Johnston, Nathan Booth and Ty Simmonds, his squad stepped up, taking early victories over the revamped and powerful Portland side followed by Lithgow Bears.
The final game was played against last year's grand finalists, CSU. With Charley Bailey moving from lock to front row and Jacob Howes from centre to second row, the team dynamics looked nothing like they normally would, however, every player lifted to meet the challenge.
In sapping conditions, Oberon were first to score as Howes, with sheer brute strength, barged over for Jake Foley to convert.
Bailey and the Arriola brothers, Jaimie and Kane, were busy throughout the day and stung the CSU attack with their bone-crunching defence.
Charlie Gascoigne rolled up his sleeves and ploughed into the CSU defenders, with Zane Rowlandson providing the spark out wide.
A desperate CSU managed to score next, however, and equalise, before a penalty late in the game gave them the opportunity to take the two points on offer and secure the win.
Earlier in the day, CSU had been defeated by Portland, causing a three-way log-jam. However, based on for and against, it was Oberon and CSU that qualified for the grand finale.
A gentlemen's agreement was made between the teams in order to avoid a back-to-back replay of the Oberon vs CSU game, and also to give the players some well-earned respite from the heat.
Booth was extremely happy with what he saw on the day and is confident, with a full team complement, of a good showing for the Tigers in 2021 when the competition starts on the Anzac weekend.