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The future looks bright for the Tigers, after another solid day's work on the weekend away at Prospect. Both grades can be happy with their results as a difficult pitch and a threadbare squad made it difficult for the Tigers. However, the boys can expect further trying times over the coming months, as injuries and World Cup holidays promise to stretch Balmain to its limits. But if Saturday is any indication, as Abe Stirling might have said... "the boys'll be alright."

The undermanned Under 20s were unable to field a full bench, as injuries looked to conspire against their excellent start to the season. Still, the Tigers appeared dangerous, with a plethora of attacking options in the starting line-up. Tristan returned to right-mid for a reserves hitout after his match-breaking first-grade performance two weeks previously against Auburn and Jules lined up wide on the left for the first time since playing there in an intimidating Balmain reserves line-up in 2000.

It soon became clear though that it was going to be a hard day's work for the Tigers. Seven-foot strikers, a sandbox of a pitch and a steep uphill first-half incline put the Tigers on the back foot from the kick-off. Like in each previous test thrown their way this season though, again the boys stood firm. In the half’s most dramatic moment, as a Prospect strike hit the post and spun across the goal line, cameo defender Jamie swang wildly at the ball, offering an inspired decoy to foil the onrushing Prospect forwards before the ball rolled out for a well-earned goalkick.

More of the same in the second half saw the Tigers improve, but not substantially enough to overcome a stubborn and physical Prospect side. A fair result for both sides keeps the Tigers within touching distance of the table's summit.

First-grade was unchanged from last week's disappointing draw against Kellyville. 2005's top two players of the year were still unavailable - Hardwick through injury, and Trieste through suspension - but the side nonetheless looked settled and formidable.

Ball-playing on William Lawson had been a hard task in the past, and ball-playing on William Lawson Reserve was proving to be much the same. Still, as the pub crawl later that night showed, the Tigers are nothing if not hard, and they were soon outmuscling a surprisingly feeble Prospect side across the park.

Set-pieces were proving particularly dangerous for Balmain as Muggsy volunteered his entry for the Miss 2006 Pageant with a howling sidefooter in space with the whole goal to aim for. "Don't worry Tigers" said Captain Lozza, as minutes later he led by example and buried a back-post volley in typically specacular style for 1-0.

Balmain was shading proceedings, but the pitch and, well, our underperformance, were keeping things rather ugly. Halftime came and went, and things didn't really improve, until Eamonn's direct ball forward found Ilias who jinked right and finished left for 2-0.

Instead of going on with it though, the Tigers hit cruise control. At about 35km/h. In a 60 zone. And it was probably only because Propect - all eleven of them - were driving the metaphorical ride-on lawnmower that they couldn't overtake us.

Coach Andrews took advantage of the scoreline to blood two more of Balmain's future crop, as Parellii and Tyrell made their debuts together. In only limited time on the field, both showed glimpses to suggest that we'll see plenty more of them in the future.

Next week it's the bye, giving the Tigers a chance to repair and regroup for the clash against Green Island the following Saturday. Saturday at Birchgrove instead sees Balmain offering a corporate football day. We request everyone's attendance to lend a hand and share a laugh, if only for an hour or two between 10 and 3. Speak to Grilvinho or one of the committee boys for more info.