The Tigers knew from the outset that the key would be to limit the touches of Wagga’s import and last year’s league MVP Gage Day as well as the general transition  game of the Blaze. The Tigers won the jump ball and controlled the early tempo. Early shots were traded by both teams as they settled into their respective games. Tim Hanlon was elevated to the starting five in the absence of Jackson Weeks. Tim had the initial role of controlling Wagga’s Big Scott Hare. Tim did an outstanding job keeping the ball from the low set and when it did find Hare the Tigers dug in on the big fella and forced the error on numerous occasions.

The Tigers trailed at the first break 22-19.

Wagga’s Gage Day then tried to force his name on the game with some excellent perimeter shooting. Despite the hands of numerous Tigers looking to cover the shot, the experienced Day kept the Blazers in the lead. The Tigers continued to do a great job on the balance of the Blazers on the defensive end. It was only Day who touched up the scorers. The Tigers kept in contact with a great transition game and the perimeter shooting of Will and Bruce Ozolins. Lachie Bailey and Matt Ganderton were tireless in defence for the Tigers and the efforts that Ben Morris and Tim Hanlon brought defensively did not go unnoticed by anyone in the large crowd.

Tom Ozolins was deadly in the key at the ring under pressure and had the block of the game, rejecting the American import with authority. Tom also was tireless on the defensive boards for the Tigers and then turning defence into transition.

The Tigers contained the Blazers efforts, but struggled to contain the accuracy of Day, At the halftime break the Tigers trailed 51-37.

This was turning out to be a high contact game –  players somehow ended up spreadeagled on the floor although they were in mid-flight on route to the basket just seconds prior. They just seemed to fall out of the air like flies.

Despite the heavy non-contacts, the Tigers rallied in the third. They lifted defensively as they have all year and found their range from outside the arc. This time it was Tom Ozolins knocking successive threes. On the back of these baskets and the tireless rebounding of Hanlon and Morris, the Tigers rallied back to within 6 points.

Foul trouble somehow appeared for the Tigers, and the Blazers were allowed to get back to a lead of 13 late in the quarter. This was done through the efforts of Day and the smart head of veteran Blazer, Matt Bishop. At the third it was the Blazers leading 71-58.

The physicality of the game continued in the last. This was typified after an offensive block foul was called on Hanlon while the Tigers were advancing up the court. After stumbling to the floor, Blazer Rob Tye came running from the other end of the court and straddled Hanlon while lying on the floor and stood over him trying to show his manliness. As a result, the Tigers shot a free throw and control from half court. This type of situation was typical of the entire 40 minutes.

The Blazers certainly gained and benefited from the import Day’s swagger as he continued to ply his trade. Daysy would go onto knock down 49 for the Blazers, certainly earning his weekly pay cheque.

For the Tigers Will Ozolins finished with 28, Bruce Ozolins 20 and brother Thomas 12.

Coach Ozolins was not upset with the loss.

 ”It was a typical game in Wagga, you travel down the Hume every year, you know what to expect,” he said.

“We play them at home in a month. We’ve lost in Wagga before and we’ve beaten Wagga at home in past years. It’s a different game at the Tigers Den and we should have a full roster returned.”