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The Tigers have returned from Bathurst in one piece after the game on Saturday, though only one unbeaten record made it back intact. First grade fought hard in a 3-1 victory. Sadly however reserves suffered their first regular season defeat since Abe Stirling's death, going down 3-2.

Reserves shot themselves in the foot early, giving up three goals in a disappointing first half. They rallied back in the second half and peppered the goal frame with a barrage of strikes but fell just short, losing 3-2. Focus is now on establishing a fresh winning streak.

First grade provided some consolation, with a hard-earned victory in trying conditions. The match started brilliantly for the Tigers as they opened the scoring in fine style: a blistering display of pass and move out of a hard-earned turnover down the right flank ended up in the back of the net. Yet after a cruel penalty had gifted Bathurst an equaliser and the harsh sending off of Daniel had left Balmain a man short for the last 30 minutes, it appeared the game might just slip away from the Tigers.

However the Tiger spirit stirred. Throwing ten men behind the ball was never an option. The Tigers did not drive four hours for a single point!

Dave, Chris and Tom held out at the back despite the loss of Daniel, the Balmain midfield dominated the opposition from flank to flank while Liam, Lozza and Rami (when he came on) worked effectively and incisively up front.

Kebab in hand, down on the Birchgrove hill, Tigers legend Abe Stirling was known to bark at anyone within earshot 'fortune favours the bold'. In this match, Abe's philosophy proved true. A pair of penalties were enough to maintain first grade's winning start to the season, and make the bus trip back from Bathurst just bearable.

Next up is Springwood at Birchgrove on Saturday. Come on down... Only Abe knows which Tigers miracle will next play out.

Balmain cast aside midweek cup disappointment to make it three wins from three matches for both grades in Saturday's fixtures. Away to the always-challenging Prospect club, reserve grade won a see-sawing match 3-2, before first grade held on for victory by the same score.

After breezing through the first two rounds, reserve grade finally came up against some decent opposition. In an even first half, neither team was able to find the net on a soft but even pitch. The second 45 though couldn't have been more different though, with a barrage of goals midway through the half.

Twice Prospect took the lead, and twice the Tigers, through Sasha and Richard (not Rob as previously stated...sorry Rich!), equalised. Such entertainment was making it very difficult for the first graders to tear themselves away from the game to get changed, and the highlights continued. Not long after the second equaliser, the Tigers were ahead through a goal from Ibby.

Though Balmain held on for the last 20, it was far from easy. The side can thank man of the match Justin in goals who performed sensationally to keep the late Prospect barrage at bay. At the Monkey Bar after the game, he claimed he had pulled off perhaps his greatest save ever - and noted that even Dave Grill was impressed on the sidelines.

First grade's match couldn't have started more differently. Playing against a physical, hard-working Prospect side, the Tigers stormed to a 3-0 lead in the first half with goals to Liam and Johnny, who scored two. The hosts had decided to play with a suicidal offside trap, and it was sprung time and again by the mobile Tiger attack.

A late Prospect goal just before half-time swung the momentum back the way of the home side though, and they came out firing in the second half. A slick passing move saw them bring it back to 3-2 before the Tiger spirit began to shine through.

With injuries and illness still hurting the Tigers, their makeshift side put their head down and ground out the victory. In truth the margin should have been greater, but maintaining a slender lead will give this team extra confidence ahead of some tricky upcoming fixtures. Tom was officially named man of the match in the post match ceremonies at the Monkey Bar, and the award is a tribute to his excellent start to the season. Long may it, and the Tigers' winning streak, continue!

Please bring your runners to training tonight in case the park is closed.

This Saturday morning we will be taking a bus to Bathurst. Travel on the bus is compulsory for all players. Please be at Birchgrove Oval by 7:15am Saturday morning.

Balmain were unlucky to be knocked out of the Tiger Turf Cup on Tuesday night, as a last-minute penalty was incorrectly missed by the referee.

The gallant Tigers, suffering an injury crisis and accommodating a player reshuffle, proved their mettle on at Garside Park as they scared the heck out of the Grand Western Magpie Rage Villains.

Balmain's high-flying hosts, performing well in the Not As Good As Premier Although It's Called Super League, had taken a two goal lead in the first-half. Their first goal came as they exploited the lack of height of, well, me, to nod home a cross. Their second came desperately close to half-time on a polished counter-attack. But as the Tigers weathered the early second half storm, they began to force their way back into the game.

Although suffering an avalanche of injuries to their battling brigade, the men in gold upped the effort against their hosts across the park. Before long they were back in the hunt.

Liam neatly turned on the edge of the area and, as his defender backed off, moved the ball onto his left foot. But instead of shooting, he jinked back to his right, and buried a rifled right-footed shot into the far corner. Top strike, and it's game on!

Up the other end, warrior fullback Dave Tucker had his opposite man in his pocket, Daniel and Tom were frustrating Bobo and the rest of Raging Pie strikeforce and Hiro was collecting signatures to change the spelling of 'hero'.

Entering the last ten minutes, both sides were tiring and the match was up for grabs. The Tigers sniffed an upset!

With seconds left on the clock, the ball found Liam's feet in the box from a quick throw. He played it on, and Johnny controlled it and turned away from his defender. And then it happened...

A clumsy, late challenge from a black and white defender came through Johnny's legs for a black and white foul and a black and white penalty. As clear as Barry Bond's bathroom cabinet. As obvious as your ideal girlfriend. And as true as Shane Warne is blue, drinking VB, turning snags and poking tarted up English women when in London.

Unfortunately, the referee's mum had told him he had to be in bed by 10pm or else he couldn't watch Heroes for a week. Extra-time was just not going to happen, and therefore neither was our clear-cut penalty. It was heart-breaking for the Tigers, who had all the momentum against a failing opposition and would have given them a shake in extra-time.

But now focus returns to the league, and this weekend's clash with Prospect. Can the Tigers overcome the illness and injury that is tearing through the squad to again challenge for the highly prestigious Conference North crown? On the evidence of Tuesday night, my word they can! See you next week...

Both reserve grade and first grade made it back to back wins in a productive Sunday away to Luddenham.

Reserve grade recorded an excellent 5-0 victory with (correct me if I'm wrong) five different scorers underlining Balmain's attacking depth. At the Monkey Bar after the game, coach Ivan went on record to praise the way his side improved in the second half and in particular the movement from his strikers and excellent delivery from his his wide men.

First grade started more slowly against a Luddenham side that had improved since a pre-season clash between the sides. It took the Tigers the best part of the first half, as well as a contender for goal of the season from Leo, to take the lead. Skilfully controlling a bouncing ball, the Roman-featured midfielder dinked it over a scrambling Luddenham midfielder before burying a volley over the keeper's head from 30 yards. Glorious!

The second half saw improvement from the Luddenham side as the Tigers took time to settle back into their rhythm. But settle they did, and the men in three stripes began to run their hosts ragged. Some flowing football created several chances for the Tigers, and it was a clever header from Johnny off a Jeremy Deasey corner that made it 2-0.

Driving a nail into Luddenham defenders' hearts, coach Keltenegger brought on the electric Admir with 30 minutes to go: before long Ads had scored the third. If his shot was a bus it would have been the deluxe tourist service stopping at the crossbar and right-hand post. Or a 15-pointer in Johnny's terms.

From then on it was a blur of goals, as Johnny scored another three goals within the space of around five minutes and someone else scored when I was in the shower. Sorry mate - feel free to post and claim it!

Next week it's the much-anticipated clash with Prospect, but before that the Tiger Turf clash with Granville on Tuesday (which was actually yesterday by the time I wrote this...shh).

Balmain opened their 2008 season down at a sun-soaked Birchgrove on Saturday. In a good day for the club, the Tigers claimed the reserves/firsts double over state league debutants Penang FC.

Reserve grade set the tone for the afternoon with a hard-fought victory. A 1-0 half-time lead was consolidated upon in the second half, the match ending 5-0 at full-time (and not 4-0 as I previously had written).

The entire team can be pleased with the result, but for warrior fullback Dave Tucker it was a day to remember. Tucker opened the scoring with a header in the first-half, followed it up with another header at the start of the second-half, and was given the opportunity for his hat-trick from the spot. He made no mistake to create a unique piece of Balmain sporting history. Do any Tigers fans remember when a fullback last scored a hat-trick, if indeed any actually ever have?

First grade also got the result they were looking for, outclassing Mount Penang. In their first ever state league match, the Central Coast side couldn't match the intensity or skill of the Tigers. A 2-0 lead at half-time was consolidated by a barrage of goals in the second half with Johnny, Liam, Lozza and Jem all finding the target.

The final score could have been anything as many a chance went begging, and the defensive blemish took some gloss off the result - the Tigers will be looking for improvement in both areas. Still, three points is what coach Kaltenegger ordered, and the result sets Balmain up nicely for next week's clash with Luddenham.

Many thanks to the Penang boys who came down to the Monkey Bar after the game. It was a pleasure having you down to our new sponsor hotel - come back again soon! We wish you all the best in your first season and look forward to a long and prosperous, as well as friendly, rivalry into the future.