The boys started off a little slower than coach Scott Traynor would have liked but as the game ticked away the Tigers warmed to the occasion.

Both sides traded blows on the scoreboard early on with Reece Finlay scoring for the home side and maintaining his good try scoring form from last season.

For most of the first half it was a battle for field position and Panthers had the edge.

Quick hands saw Panthers edge a little further in front, crossing in the corner only minutes out from the break. In the next set Panthers were able to make some easy metres and this put Panthers’ five eighth Blake Dean in range to slot a field goal right on half-time.

At half-time Oberon went to the break trailing by five points, 9-4.

In the second half the Tigers found another gear with plenty of work coming from Luke Christie-Johnston and Kirk Roberts who both made some good metres.

But the most promising form came from new Tigers half Steve Lane who orchestrated some brilliant tries for his team.

A neat pass to back rower Zac Rowlandson, who steamed on to the ball from 20 metres out, saw him bust the defence to score under the posts. After Blake Fitzpatrick’s conversion the Tigers were back in front, 10-9.

A few minutes later Lane was at it again, striding into open space to throw the ball over his head to Katon Crawford who finished a very entertaining try.

After the conversion the Tigers took the lead 16-9.

Oberon were really on a roll minutes later when Katon Crawford dived over from dummy half to claim his second for the club this season.

At 20-9 the Tigers were very much in control, but in the last 10 minutes a very hungry Panthers side threatening to derail Oberon’s lead, scoring two tries in the space of six minutes .

Before the crowd could blink it was 20-19.

Tiger supporters held their collective breath as a line dropout set up one last attacking raid from Bathurst.

The Tigers muscled up in defence, with Tyler Hughes coming up with a try saver in the corner, only to have the last pass for the Panthers eventually pulled up forward by referee

Nathan Blanchard, the Tigers walked off with a gritty victory.

At full-time the Oberon Tigers 20 defeated the Panthers 19.

Coach Scott Traynor was pleased with the boys, though they came in a little underdone with fitness, but when they stuck to the game plan it showed when the points were on the board.

OBERON 20 - Tries: K Crawford 2, Z Rowlanson, R Finlay. Goals: B Fitzpatrick 2/4 defeated PANTHERS 19 - Tries: M Davis, W Kennedy, J Small, L Carpenter. Goals J Small 1/4. Field goal B Dean.