The two heavyweights of the competition battled it out in a nail-biting affair, but Roberts’ goal helped the Tigers take the 2-1 win.

Bomaderry coach Doug Foley said any win over Culburra was a good win.

“We felt reasonably confident, but Culburra are a good side so a 2-1 win is good, considering they hit the crossbar three times,” Foley said.

“Having said that I am happy with how our guys played. There was no weak player on our side and everyone put in 100 per cent.”

The match was an even affair from the blow of the first whistle, but the home side managed to go into the break 1-nil thanks to a goal 30 minutes in.

Bomaderry’s two forwards Cameron Nelson and Michael Hampton worked together to put their team ahead and when Hampton won the ball and slipped a pass to Nelson, he managed to put it past the Culburra keeper.

In the second half Culburra fought back with vigor and managed to equalise the score early thanks to Jack Miller, who, after hitting the crossbar, backed up again to put one past the keeper.  

Culburra then found themselves with just 10 men after a player was sent off.

Despite this, the team continued to lift in the second half and put the Bomaderry defence under the pump.

With just 15 minutes left on the clock Bomaderry’s Roberts managed to score his team’s winning goal.

A Tigers break down the right hand side of the field had Roberts follow on the left. A cross to Roberts saw him slot the ball past the Cougars keeper from 10 metres out to claim the win for his team.    

“It was nerve-wracking right until the end as Culburra was pushing really hard. It was a good game with a lot of tension,” Foley said.

Culburra coach Tony Gauci said some of his team were still feeling the affects of Anzac Day.

“I think most of our guys were still at the 2-up table on Friday night,” he said.

“But with just 10 players they played exceptionally well and were very unlucky not to score again.

“The game was played in good spirits, but at the end of the day Doug’s team wanted it more than us.”

Gauci said standout player for the Cougars were Blair Sutherland, Aaron Mason and Keiran Witt. 

Foley applauded the efforts of Dave Hampton, who had his first start of the season in first grade and did a fine job of playing out of his comfort zone as a fullback.

“Ben Foley in the midfield played his best game in a long time and the effort he put in was really good,” Foley said.

“Also Matt Roberts. It’s his first year in first grade and he has had two starts now and is consistently very good. But I also couldn’t fault the rest of the team.”

Next week Bomaderry will come up against Shoalhaven Heads at Vic Zealand Oval.

Gauci said that after a weekend of struggling for numbers, he looks forward to the next round against Huskisson and the return of four or five players.