The Wauchope Blues had shown good form in the pre-season competition with a win over the premiers, Port City.

Wauchope began well with a try from a chip and chase on the last tackle to lead 6-0 after a quarter of an hour.

Five minutes later, the home team was reduced to twelve players with a sin-binning.

It didn't halt the Blues who were in for another try a minute later to lead 12-0.

With less than five minutes to half time, Nick Beacham forced his way over the line for Wingham's first points.

Michael Bailey added the conversion.

Then Jake Mullen crossed without a hand touching him. Michael Bailey added the extras to level the scores at 12-12 at the break.

The Tigers went ahead early in the second half when English import Danny Price kicked to the corner for Michael Bailey to score.

He converted his own try for an 18-12 advantage.

A penalty goal to Michael Bailey five minutes later extended the lead to eight points.

With a quarter of an hour remaining, captain coach Danny Russell barged his way over for a try and a 24-12 lead.

Against the run of play, Wauchope hit back with a try to reduce the deficit to 24-18.

A second try by Jake Mullen, and a late penalty goal to Michael Bailey, gave Wingham a hard-fought 30-18 win.

Wauchope’s first try was scored by Oral Walker and the second try by Jayden Seargent both try’s converted by Sam Watts. The late try was scored by 100 games player Mat Bird

The Tigers started well in Reserve Grade with an early try to Codey Green.

Wauchope went ahead with a converted try after a 40-20 kick.

Five minutes before the break, Ryan Relf scored in the corner from an Adam Kerr kick.

A try right on the half time siren game the home team a slight 10-8 advantage.

The second half began with Danny Price scoring twice within ten minutes, the second converted by Ben Griffiths.

Then Wauchope hit back to reduce the margin to 18-14.  

A late try to Codey Green made the final score 22-14 in the Tigers' favour.

 Try scorers in reserve grade for the Blues were Jack Bailey, Tristan Scott and Ged Roods.

The Ladies League Tag game saw Wauchope score first after a quarter of an hour to lead 4-0.

Then Kim Clarke pounced on a grubber kick in the in-goal area for a try. Brooke Atkins added the extra points for a 6-4 lead at the break.

The Blues went ahead straight after the break with a try to regain the lead at 10-6.

Three more tries in the final quarter of an hour gave the home team victory by 24-6.

(Kim Clarke try, Brooke Atkins goal).

First grade: Old Bar 20 d Taree City 6, Port Macquarie 54 d Macleay Valley 16, Port City 48 d Forster-Tuncurry 12, Wingham 30 d Wauchope 18.

Reserve grade: Taree City 26 d Old Bar 12, Port Macquarie 50 d Macleay Valley 4, Port City 34 d Forster-Tuncurry 10, Wingham 22 d Wauchope 14.

Under 18s: Old Bar 18 d Taree City 0, Port Macquarie 34 d Macleay Valley 10, Forster-Tuncurry 22 d Port City 18, Wingham bye.

League tag: Old Bar 16 d Taree City 8, Macleay 8 d Port Macquarie 4, Port City 26 d Forster-Tuncurry 16, Wauchope 24 d Wingham 4.

The Wauchope Blues president, Ged Roods, said the club is proud of the league tag girls for having such a strong start to the season, with newcomer coaches Nick McCabe and Trae Cole.

“First grade and and reserve grade are showing promising signs however we just need to start converting close games into wins. We look forward to hosting another home game this Sunday against Taree City games starting at 11.30am,” he said.