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Ladies and Gentlemen, along with the match report, the Balmain Soccer Club is back! Yes, the weekend's fixture was against lowly Auburn and, yes, first grade made it a little difficult for themselves. However, you cannot debate the fact that the Tigers grabbed the full six points to reassert themselves near the head of both first grade and under 20s tables.

Sharp and alert after a pre-match tussle with some territorial birds, Kaltenegger's Under 20s opened with a blitz, with more chances in the first half than an Australian holidaying in Germany. Sadly, they could only score four times. Balmain added another two goals in the second half, but the game petered out in the drizzle, with the Auburn players focused more on the birthday cake awaiting them after the match. Beyond the 6-0 drubbing, the match will be remembered for the actions - sorry, inactions - of the referee, who forgot to bring his red card with him despite an array of last-man sliding tackles from behind. Or just maybe someone had told him about the cake too.

First grade took to the field with a new-look defensive line-up. The team took some time to adapt to the new system, with a couple of early Auburn balls turning the defence around in the moist conditions. Approaching half-time, the Tigers began to improve, and some neat interplay from Totaro and Bonus lead to the Tigers opening goal. Bonus' skidding through ball dodged and weaved through the Stars' defence and found a flying Senol on the right wing who rounded the keeper and finished with ease.

The muddy centre of the pitch and lack of Balmain cohesion looked to be making this one a match to forget until Totaro was singled out for some special treatment from a cowardly Auburn defender - one that the Balmain striker knew personally!

Midway through the second half, Ilias and Julian came on to take advantage of a tiring Auburn side. Within minutres, a splendid Lozza through ball sent Ilias through and he made no mistake with a strong finish past the goalkeeper's left hand. At 2-0 though it looked as though it was Balmain who were tiring, as bottom-placed Auburn mounted a noble comeback. Auburn's overweight lone striker scored to make it 2-1 after the Tigers lost the ball cheaply, and it could have almost been 2-2 but for Auburn's lack of attacking polish.

A hearty congratulations to Lachlan, who made his first-team debut and performed well, including executing a tremendous tackle as last man on Auburn's only serious attacking threat.

Back on track after three successive defeats, and with players returning daily from World Cup adventures, the Tigers are well placed for a rousing end of season run at the final series. With three games in a week starting from next Saturday, it's crunch-time for 2006. Stay tuned!