John Fitzgerald

Oberon and former champions Manildra are new arch enemies after the Rhinos’ strong showing against last year’s premiers, and Sunday’s the 22-all scoreline a fitting result to their latest contest.

The Tigers were expecting to play their first game at their new ground in a re-match of last year’s grand final, but were disappointed when the new sports field wasn’t ready for play, and were forced to play the round two match of the round at the old sportsground.

Despite this, Tigers coach and skipper Nic Barlow said the atmosphere was different to normal in the lead up to the game.

“It was a tense feeling in the room probably because we were up against a team we knew pretty well after last year’s grand final and also because they scored 70 points in their game last week,” he said.

“We knew we were in for a hard game and you could feel it in the air.”

The match was physical from the kick-off as each side tested the other out and the first 40 minutes were uneventful, Oberon holding a 12-point lead 18-6 at the halftime break.

Manildra forward Hugh Gibson had been giving the Tigers players a hard time, consistently running the ball up and in their faces in defence.

In the sheds at the break Barlow stressed to his players they continue their good effort but to be cautious of their rivals in the second half.

In the other room Manildra coach Luke Petrie asked for a bigger effort from his team to claw back Oberon’s lead.

Taking a 12-point lead on their return to the field, early in the second half the Tigers lost five-eighth Jesse Lua Lua, their attack becoming disjointed with his loss.

However the Tigers were still able to score again, Abel Faifua Lefaoseu’s try bringing up Oberon’s 22 points and a comfortable buffer.

Gibson’s defence was relentless and his one-man assault on his rivals was reaping rewards.

Leading 22-6, the Tigers allowed Manildra back into the game.

Oberon was struggling with consistency, tempers flared, and a lack of discipline crept into their play.

The premiers crashed in the second half, losing two players to the sin bin, allowing Manildra to make up the 16-point deficit, the Rhinos coming home strongly to equal the Tigers’ score.

New hooker Jack O’Neill at dummy half was one of Oberon’s best, directing traffic around the field, and Gibson was Manildra’s standout.

Oberon’s Barlow will need to address his team’s discipline issues, his side giving up the competition lead after just two games.

Woodbridge Cup has a congested field of teams and these two clubs will not meet again until the finals.

Just one point behind three clubs, however, it is just a matter of time before they take the competition lead again as they make their way through the field.

Returning club Blayney shares the lead on 4 points with Trundle and Cargo, all undefeated after the first two rounds.

Round 2 winners were Orange 60-12 over Grenfell, Cargo 26-22 against Eugowra, Trundle 66-4 against Molong, Cowra 24-18 winners over Peak Hill, and Blayney 64-6 over Canowindra.

In round three Manildra host Peak Hill and Oberon are at home to Grenfell, with the Cowra/Blayney game at Cowra the game of the round.