THE Blues have finally put paid to their horror start to the 2008 home and away series, lowering the Tigers’ colours for the first time this year with an emphatic 56-point win before a home crowd at Ports on Sunday.

With a total of 24 players missing - 15 reserves and nine league - due to seeding the Tigers were under the hammer in their quest to keep an unblemished record intact against a Blues combination desperate to end a horror three-game losing streak.

Ports also had several key players out due to injury and this list included ruckman Cory Bennier and elusive wingman Scott Stihec, opening the door for youngster Joseph Jarvis to make his league debut.

Right from the start the Blues showed they meant business, playing hard football and placing the normally potent Tigers’ forward under pressure.

This reflected on the scoreboard which saw the Blues boast a narrow three-point lead at the first break, despite having just four scoring shots as compared to the Tigers’ six.

Without the presence of Bennier through the Blues’ midfield, Julian Jacobs proved a stand-out for the Blues, filling in the gaps where he continually picked up some crucial possessions and supplied drive into their forward lines where Nigel Johnston (six goals) was dominating.

Brock Thompson (three goals) also gave the Blues a strong avenue through their 50 metre zone which kept the Tigers’ defence under pressure.

Although the Tigers kept fighting back through the first half with some spirited football from the likes of Gary Prosser (three goals)and youngster Ryan Prott, Gibson struggled at key stages allowing the Blues to maintain their grip on the match.

Dale Guest was responsible for another big performance through the back lines while the efforts in defence from Scott Wandel and Leigh West were both strong.

To their credit the Tigers were quick to bounce back with two early goals in the third quarter, but this fight-back was short lived and the visitors could manage just three more points in the last term.

At the same time the Blues were able to kick away with the game as Johnston ran riot at full forward and youngster Luke Bowler (two goals) got into play as the game wore on.

Julian Jacobs remained the Blues’ best on field and was rewarded with the Belt Up award following the game, presented by his father Dr Graham Jacobs.

Brian Sylva also played a great game picking up many vital possessions and placing his body on the line to help the Blues lift at crucial stages of the game.

Shane Pelly stood out with another hard game in defence while Josh Veness also played strongly.

For the Tigers, Dale Guest tried hard to lift the side with West and Scott Wandel was also playing well.

Greg Prosser stood out in the forward line, Josh Sullivan tried while Tye Tyrrell rounded off the best efforts.

Final score: Ports 15.12 (102) b Gibson 6.10 (46).

The reserves saw a different result with forward Brenton Bridges leading an undermanned Gibson to victory over the Blues.

With 15 players missing, the Tigers showed their overall depth having eight goals on the board before the Blues were able to come back and make their first score.

Bridge ended the day with 10 goals and three behinds from a total of 12.4, ensuring the Tigers had little trouble snaring the points over the Blues.

Youngster Levo Cox (four goals) proved the Blues’ best up front, but unfortunately their challenge was mounted a little too late and although Ports did come home well the damage had been done early.

Final score: Gibson 12.4 (76) b Ports 7.3 (45).