A COMBINATION of stifling defence and horrible field conditions helped North Cairns Tigers return to the winners circle in the AFL Cairns' Women's League on Saturday.

A COMBINATION of stifling defence and horrible field conditions helped North Cairns Tigers return to the winners circle in the AFL Cairns’ Women’s League on Saturday.

The premiers held the second-placed Manunda Hawks to one goal in a 5.5 (35) to 1.2 (8) win at Watsons Oval.

Key player Jo Butland, who sat out most of the match injured, said it was the response the team needed after drawing with South Cairns Cutters last weekend.

"We learned a little bit of a lesson last week," Butland said.

"The girls now know that we can’t be complacent.

"At the end of the day, it’s all about getting on the training paddock and working on our structures."

The match had been under a cloud of uncertainty all week, with officials almost cancelling it because of bad weather.

An inspection of the pitch on Saturday morning confirmed the match would go ahead.

For Manunda Hawks, that is where the bad news started.

Butland said there was an added intensity on the Tigers’ training paddock last week.

And it showed on the playing field.

Tigers surged to an early lead and then let their defence do the rest.

For three quarters they held the Hawks goalless before Manunda finally breaking through when they game was beyond doubt in the fourth quarter.

Despite the loss, Manunda remain in second position on the premiership ladder.

In the other match of the afternoon, Cutters were unable to capitalise on last weekend’s draw against the Tigers and 2.0 (12) to 8.4 (52) by Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs.

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