The Tigers have stolen victory over the Bulldogs by scoring two converted tries in the last five minutes of play in a 34-32 thriller.
The boys from Leichardt held the lead for most of the game and had their fans to thank for putting off Chase Stanley’s goal kicking in the early exchanges, which ultimately proved the difference.
WESTS TIGERS 34 (W Lolo 2, S Akauvola, C Peni, D Hoeter, J Drinkwater tries; Drinkwater 5 goals) bt CANTERBURY BULLDOGS 32 (S Lane 2, T Phillips 2, C Thompson, D Fualalo tries; C Stanley 4 goals)
MOUNTIES 46 (M Nicholls 2, J Ahearn, D Cahalane, S Williams, G Buttriss, P Mataele, L Page tries; Williams 7 goals) bt MANLY WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES 20 (B Fritz, D Reardon, J Hodges, M Rudolph tries; K Aldridge 2 goals)
SUMMARY: Mounties have continued their perfect start to the season at Aubrey Keech Reserve, comfortably downing the Manly Sea Eagles in a 12-try affair. Glen Buttriss starred early for the home side, before composed performances by halves pairing Sam Williams and Sam Duggan denied any potential comeback by the Sea Eagles.
NEWTOWN JETS 24 (S Sauiluma 2, J Bird, T Murphy, S Houma tries; Murphy 2 goals) btPENRITH PANTHERS 8 (R Jennings, P Simona tries)
SUMMARY: In a bruising encounter, Newtown have come away from Pepper Stadium with their first win of the season inflicting a 16-point defeat on the previously undefeated Penrith. The major talking point after the game was referee Liam Nicholls’ decision to send-off Adam Docker for a shoulder charge on Jets fullback Nathan Gardner in the 26th minute. For Newtown, half Tom Murphy was the standout performer with a try, two try assists and a line-break as he combined with the classy Jack Bird to terrorise Penrith’s left-edge defence. Despite being one man down, Penrith managed to stay in the game trailing 12-8 with 10 minutes remaining before Will Smith’s sin-bin for a professional foul allowed Newtown to capitalise and score two late converted tries.
WARRIORS 44 (J Tua 2, G Carmont 2, A Pewhairangi 2, S Havili, S Ikahihifo tries; Pewhairangi 6 goals) bt WENTWORTHVILLE MAGPIES 20 (J Ualesi, F Goodall, B Faraimo, H Lavaka tries; L Kelly 2 goals)
SUMMARY: A standout performance by the Warriors' left-hand-side attack has propelled them to a powerful and promising 24-point victory over Wenty at Mt Smart. Standout efforts from Warriors playmaker Api Pewhairangi, against his old side, and comeback man George Carmont helped the home side to a 26-12 lead at the break - and a comfortable victory in an entertaining clash.
WYONG ROOS 18 (N Stapleton, M Ikuvalu, J Sejika tries; Stapleton 3 goals) bt NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS 6 (P Vaivai try; D Kerr goal)
SUMMARY: The Wyong Roos defeated their northern rivals for the first time in VB NSW Cup history in an edge-of-your-seat thriller at Morry Breen Oval. The home side kept the Knights scoreless for the final 72 minutes of the match, with Rip Taylor's boys tackling themselves to a standstill in a courageous performance. Roos bench forward Abraham Papalii brought tremendous energy off the bench in a particularly strong performance.
ILLAWARRA CUTTERS 50 (J Hunt 3, J Vaivai 2, K Keating 2, T Cranston, A Tuimavave-Gerard tries; S Crook 7 goals) bt NORTH SYDNEY BEARS 12 (S Manuleleva, J Gosiewski tries; N Roberts 2 goals)
SUMMARY: The Illawarra Cutters have produced their best performance of the season in a 38-point demolition of the North Sydney Bears at WIN Stadium. A hat-trick of tries to Justin Hunt, including two in the final five minutes, capped a stellar all-round performance by the home side as they handed the Bears their second straight loss of the season.
This article first appeared on www.NSWRL.com.au
