The Tigers, accustomed to being one of the league's heavyweights, had dropped their first four games, including frustrating narrow losses to Leeton-Whitton (31-30) and Griffith (47-44).

Down nine heading into the last quarter, the Tigers' season was virtually on the line and they responded when it counted.

"It's not what we're used to but it (win) will do us some good," Tilyard said.

"We just haven't been playing our normal game for the full time, it's just little patches here and there which is letting us down.

"We were down by nine against Ganmain and then we just pulled our heads together and played how we usually play and won by three. If we play like that the whole game it'd be a different story completely.

"I definitely think confidence has a lot to do with it and the girls are doubting themselves a bit. Everyone's a bit cautious and that's been affecting our game a little bit."

The Tigers' cause hasn't been helped by the loss of gun defender Rhiannon Podmore, who injured her ACL in the opening round.

Claudia Wheatley has taken her place, while fellow youngster Eliza Kelly has also been promoted to first grade.

Meanwhile, Turvey Park coach Meegan Johnson is content with their progress in her first year in charge after beating Leeton-Whitton 61-39 on Saturday.

The Bulldogs are now fifth with a 3-2 record but face a brutal next month, beginning with defending champions Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes on Saturday before taking on the Tigers, third-placed Griffith and first-placed Coolamon.

"They're just starting to come together as a team, they haven't played together before most of them and we've got a fairly young crew," she said.

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"We've discussed staying focused for 60 minutes. We've let a couple of minutes go in games and the way the competition is at the moment, you can't claw that back.

"This week it's about allowing our girls the freedom to show some of the flair they've got, we've got some natural athletes out there, and giving them confidence to do that."

In other matches on Saturday Coolamon drew with Griffith 44-all, the unbeaten Swans' second draw of the season, while the Goannas thrashed Narrandera 81-21.

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