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Last Saturday Balmain had a rare trip East. The destination was the crumbling Communist monument that is ES Marks field. The opponents were our old rivals Hakoah, who knocked us out of the semi-finals last year. The Tigers were determined to set things right. In the end, the boys came away with all six points on a day that panned out a bit like a Picnic chocolate bar. Though a bit ugly, and not very good for you, like most revenge it was oh so sweet!

The Under 20s set the tone for the day, getting one over fellow title contenders Hakoah with a hard-earned 2-0 victory. Midway through the first half came one of the season's more improbable moments. A cross from the right flank appeared to be sailing away from captain Parelli, until he decided to unleash a bicycle kick from the top of the goalbox. This was a bicycle of the highest order, unseen from a Balmain player since Paul Tripodi's enthusiastic warmups close to a decade ago. Launching himself off the ground, he connected perfectly with the ball, only for the rust-encrusted crossbar to shout "not this time Parelli" as it shaked and shuddered from the hit.

Before long though the crossbar was silenced and its goal breached after a great early ball from the left caused all sorts of problems for the Hakoah keeper. With the ball landing at his feet, debut Dom did well to miss Hugo and roll the ball into the unguarded net.

I'm told by my man in stands the second half was all Balmain, securing the team a clean sheet (as promised at half-time by Tyrell) and another goal, this time for recent arrival Uri. Well done chaps - keep up the sensational start to the season!

The first grade lineup looked a little different this week, with Danny and Loz forced to attend a mate's wedding and Hardwick out injured. It meant Crouch Bonus in midfield with Ilias and Julian leading the line, as well as some time to adjust...

As a result, Hakoah's nippy striker was creating some early problems for our defence and was guilty of wasting a couple of chances. As their shots flew high and wide though, the Tigers began to build momentum. Jules hit the post with a powerful header, and the half chances began to fall the way of the Tigers.

Hakoah's traditional negative style of play wasn't making things pretty, and it was lucky that the club shop was serving mushrooms with its sausage rolls or else the travelling fans may have been regretting coming. For once, the Tigers canteen had been outdone! But it was the opposite story out on the pitch...

The decisive goal came shortly after halftime. A raid down the right ended with Luis cutting back and finding Ilias's feet in the box. So too did his defender, for a clear penalty. Ilias dusted himself down to hit a spot kick John Aloisi would have been proud of and, for the fifth week in a row, it was 1-0 to the Tigers.

As we all know though, it had been more than a month since the boys actually took home all three points and it appeared the Gods of football were desperately trying to get Hakoah level. Shenol was forced off injured, joining Julian in the hospital ward. Even head coach Andrews was sent from the bench for abusing the linesman. And worse was to follow.

Anthony, under pressure from several Hakoah attackers, lunged in with both feet as last man, earning himself probably the reddest card we'll see this year. The Tigers took a while to adjust to the reshuffle at the back, but in the end worked hard to hold on, with Simon, Muggsy, Eamonn and Mitch standing strong.

Finally, the Tigers were back in the winners' circle, ahead of the must-win match against bottom-placed Auburn at Birchgrove on Saturday. With injuries and suspensions the Tigers will be stretched against the notorious Star-studded lineup.

And don't forget Jake and Noodles' farewell party after a few pints and the platter at the Exchange on Saturday.