Eastwood club legend and first grade coach Ben Batger has labelled his side’s 28-25 victory over Southern Districts as the most heroic performance he’s seen in his 18 seasons at the club.

The Woodies played with 14 men for more than 70 minutes after No.8 Sione Tau received a red card for a dangerous tackle in the early stages of the match.

Despite that, Eastwood raced away to a 22-3 first half lead before the Rebels forwards took control of the contest creating space for Souths’ to score back to back tries out wide.

“Ten minutes in I was thinking ‘Oh God we’re in a lot of strife here," Batger told Rugby News.