Last weekend’s game of rugby league proved one thing: The Tenterfield Tigers are a force to be reckoned with. The Tigers came up against the Killarney Cutters who could not match their opposition and lost with the final score of 56-6.

The Tigers scored a total of 10 tries but did not get into their playing rhythm until later in the first half, making small mistakes that opened opportunities for the opposition. But this was short lived, as Coach Pete Townes ex-plained, with the team pulling together and playing some excellent football on the field.

“They were a bit scratchy at the kick off but then they played really well,” Coach Townes said.

“There were some forward passes and a few penalties. It was a lack of discipline but then they scored a few tries and kicked into gear.”

Coach Townes thought early on in the game that the Tigers would come out on top with a win but was hesitant to start celebrating.

“I thought we had them but we couldn’t afford to relax. They worked on defence, and then worked through moves that we had been doing at training,” he said.

“Killarney was struggling with numbers.

“They tried hard and stuck it out for the full 80 minutes. The score was not an indicator for the game. It was a good hard game.”

Killarney has a reputation of being a side to beat when they are playing at home but could not stand up to the strong defence from the Tigers. Centres Murray Johnson and Andrew Lawrence played excellent games and were backed up by the team forwards who showed a lot of forward momentum. Captain and 5/8 Geoff Swan received players’ player for his efforts on the field.

The last month of games has been successful in bringing the team together as seen in their recent win, the Stanthorpe win and losing by a two-point margin to Texas. Coach Townes said that if they continue to improve at this pace they will be a force to beat at finals time with the opposition sure to be “looking over their shoulders”.

“The boys have been playing really well,” Coach Townes said.

“They’ll give (the opposition) a good run for their money and they are still improving.”

The Tigers will be having a well-earned week off the field and onto the golf course to play a social round of golf this Saturday. They will continue to train on their defence for the upcoming match against Inglewood, Coach Townes said, to ensure their best chance at winning the double points game.

The Tenterfield Tigers are also organising a ladies day for the Tigers V Texas game on Saturday, August 8. A marquee will be set up with wine and cheese and there will be a competition for best dressed on the day. Coach Townes said it was the Tigers’ way of showing their gratitude towards the team’s female supporters.

“We want to show our appreciation and show the girls that we are thinking about them,” Coach Townes said.

“There will be free entry for all females.”