Tigers coach Danny Russell now concedes his side’s hope of finishing in the top two are slight. He said Wingham now have to beat Taree City in next Saturday’s clash to ensure a top three finish.

Russell blamed complacency for his side’s poor finish to the match.

Both sides scored three tries. However, there was an element of luck about all of Wingham’s efforts. Two came from kicks, the other from an intercept.

Old Bar captain-coach Jake Wheeler said his side showed plenty of character to get back into the contest. The Pirates meet Port City next weekend but will probably have the day off in the last round when they’re due to clash with Maclaey Valley.

Old Bar started with under 18 second rower Joel Dark in the run-on side as there was no junior game. Dark showed he was right up to the standard with a strong performance in the middle of the field. Halfback Corey Wheeler has some mistakes in his game, but he can do some clever things with the ball, while elder brother Jake had his best game this season, popping one pass that led to a try as Old Bar surged back into the contest.

It was a indifferent performance from the Tigers. The majority of players mixed the okay with the ordinary. Slightly built winger Fletcher Lewis scored two opportunistic tries and was Wingham’s most consistent player while five-eighth Danny Price played soundly. The Tigers butchered a chance to position for a field goal when deep in Old Bar territory with time almost up, but interchange player Lonny Clarke lost possession in front of the posts when Wingham had tackles in hand.

The first half was a real arm wrestle, with Wingham breaking the deadlock when Russell placed a perfectly weighted kick towards the corner and Lewis accepted, fumbled momentarily, and then worked his way over. Michael Bailey converted to wrap up the scoring for the half.

The Tigers made it a dozen after the resumption when Russell gathered in an Old Bar pass on his 22. Russell shot clear and as chasers converged near the halfway line he gratefully offloaded to Lewis, who had too much pace. Bailey was again on target with the goal.

A third try to the Tigers by Matt Bridge, this time from a Price kick gave the side a 16 point cushion and it appeared as though that would be sufficient, even with another under 18 player, Joel Minihan worked his way over from close range for the Pirates. Percy King converted and it was 16-6 with 20 on the clock. 

Then the game changed. After pressure Jake Wheeler crashed into the line and despite having three defenders hanging onto him, managed to get the pass to the ubiquitous Clint Walker who darted over under the sticks for King to land the goal. Suddenly at 16-12 it was game on.

Old Bar had all the running and fullback Nathan Maher sent a pass that gave Walker space. He raced over and then tempted fate by offloading to Maher, who was closer to the goal posts. However, King’s attempt sailed wide and it was 16-16 with eight minutes left. Wingham had the better of the time remaining but couldn’t score the match winner.

Wingham 16 (F Lewis 2, M Bridge tries, M Bailey 2 goals) drew with Old Bar 16 (J Minihan, C Walker, N Maher tries, P King 2 goals).