DESPITE being forced to play their first three games of the Waratah League season on the road, Ben Morris' Shoalhaven Tigers youth men's side currently hold a 2-1 record.
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During that three-week span, Morris' Cubs have defeated both Illawarra and Queanbeyan, while losing to Inner West.
"The first match was a learning curve for the group, as a lot of them hadn't played an actual game together yet," Morris said.
"But we got through that match and started the season on the right foot.
"Then we probably went into the second game a little cocky and under-prepared and were justifiably punished - it was probably the wake-up call some of the boys needed.
"But they responded in tremendous fashion against Queanbeyan, showing outstanding effort on the defensive end of the floor - we've just got to be able to play at that level for the full 40 minutes and not take the foot off the gas.
"Overall, we're looking really solid at this early part of the season, because as we continue to gel even further, we are going to become an even more competitive outfit."
Now the Cubs will get a chance to improve on that record when they play their first-ever fixture at the Shoalhaven Indoor Sports Centre when they take on the 1-3 St George Saints from 4pm Saturday.
"This has been a game the boys and I have been looking forward to for some time," Morris said.
"Having spent my whole career at the original Den, I'm really excited to start our time at the new stadium on a positive note.
"Christening the occasion with a win would mean the world to all of our squad.
"A win on Saturday would mean the world to all of our squad."
The youth men's division two fixture is one of two Waratah League games slated for Saturday, representing the club's first-ever double-header at the new Den.
"It's a massive day for everyone involved in the Tigers," Morris said.
"In terms of our match, it appears we will be evenly matched with St George, so it should be a really solid test for us.
"I'm confident if we continue to play as a team and allow our defence to set the temp, we will have a really strong chance of victory."
The division one men's fixture between Ben Bagoly's Tigers and St George tips off at 6pm Saturday.
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