Broncos romp over Tigers

Fulltime score: Round 15 BRISBANE BRONCOS 40 v WESTS TIGERS 22 Match summary: The Brisbane Broncos have enjoyed a first half romp to decimate the Wests Tigers by 40-22 at Suncorp Stadium tonight.

The Broncos ran in the first two tries when Darren Lockyer and Shaun Berrigan put the home side 12-0 in front after just 14 minutes.

The Tigers struck back through Benji Marshall in the 18th minute but the Broncos stepped up a gear, scoring the next three tries to hold a commanding 30-6 lead at half time.

Tries to Dane Carlaw and replacement Steve Michaels saw the Broncos go further ahead and at 40-6, things were looking grim for the Wests Tigers side.

But in a tremendously entertaining match, the Tigers came back, taking advantage of a tiring Broncos outfit who had players backing up from the mid-week State of Origin clash.

The Tigers managed to outscore the Broncos in the second half by 16-10. But with a losing scoreline of 40-22, it is debatable if they brought any respectability to the final result.

The Broncos maintain their four point buffer at the top of the NRL ladder on 26 points. Meanwhile the Tigers remain on the outside of the top eight on 14 points and at least four points adrift.

Scorers: BRISBANE BRONCOS 40 Tries: S Berrigan 2, Lockyer, Hodges, Hunt, Carlaw, Michaels Goals: Lockyer 6/7 WESTS TIGERS 22 Tries: Marshall 2, Richards, Fitzhenry Goals: Hodgson 3/4

Suncorp Stadium Referee: Russell Smith

Live commentary: 0 min: Kick off soon... Tigers as per the card. The Broncos with 5 players backing up from Origin. Brad Thorn and Brent Tate are out and will be replaced by Darren Smith and Steve Michaels.

Kick off!

11 min: TRY - Broncos. Darren Lockyer running from 10 metres out to score. Follows line drop out from Tigers. Conversion Lockyer is OK. Broncos 6-0

14 min: TRY - Broncos. Shaun Berrigan scores after some help from Barry Berrigan. Lockyer conversion from almost in front is OK. Broncos 12-0

18 min: TRY - Tigers. Benji Marshall puts on the side step to score. Follows back to back penalties against the Broncos when Shane Webcke loses his cool against the ref. Conversion OK from Brett Hodgson. Broncos 12-6

21 min: TRY - Broncos. Justin Hodges scores after being set up by Darren Smith. Hodges running at the line from 5 metres out and forcing his way over. Lockyer conversion from the sideline is a beauty. Broncos 18-6

25 min: TRY - Broncos. Shaun Berrigan gets a double. Conversion OK from Lockyer. Broncos 24-6

29 min: NO TRY - Broncos denied after Shaun Berrigan is held up by Tigers fullback Brett Hodgson.

34 min: TRY - Broncos. Karmichael Hunt runs through a yawning gap after being set up by Lockyer. Lockyer conversion from in front. Broncos 30-6

Half time: Broncos 30-6 Some sensational footy from the Broncos to finish the half. The Tigers having a few more penalties but almost all the stats favour the Broncos.

Second half underway...

48 min: TRY - Broncos. Dane Carlaw scores after racing onto the ball from Barry Berrigan. Follows bust up the middle from Hunt. Conversion Lockyer. Broncos 36-6

51 min: TRY - Broncos. Steve Michaels scores following some Lockyer brilliance. This scoreline could be anything. Conversion unsuccessful. Broncos 40-6

54 min: TRY - Tigers Pat Richards scores following break from Brett Hodgson. A high bomb into Leon Bott's wing is snatched out of the air by Richards. Conversion from Hodgson sneaks inside the upright. Broncos 40-12

62 min: TRY - Tigers Benji Marshall scores out wide as the Tigers go to sleep. Follows a grubber kick from Scott Prince. Conversion misses. Broncos 40-16

65 min: NO TRY - Tigers denied as Hodgson stretches towards the line and falls short.

73 min: NO TRY - Broncos and Dane Carlaw denied.

76 min: ON REPORT - Neville Costigan (Broncos) for a near enough spear tackle.

77 min: NO TRY - Tigers denied ater Daniel Fitzhenry is pulled back following a forward pass.

80 min: TRY - Tigers. Great run from Fitzhenry to score. The Tigers proving that they never give up but in the end, it was never enough. Conversion is OK. Broncos 40-22

Full time: Broncos 40-16 Pretty straight forward as the Broncos just killed them in the first half and made sure of it early in the second half. With the match beyond doubt, the Origin weary Broncos clocked off as the Tigers came back in good style. But at the end of the day, the visitors were simply outclassed. I was mostly impressed with Broncos lock forward Corey Parker who topped the workload in both attack and defence while Darren Lockyer put in trememdous effort at five eighth. Hooker Barry Berrigan seemed to be everywhere while Karmichael Hunt is also showing some great form out back. The Tigers best players include five eighth Benji Marshall who looked to come off injured after full time. Brett Hodgson was his usual best at fullback. Up front, they were pretty well beaten.

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - C Parker (Broncos) 2 - D Lockyer (Broncos) 1 - B Berrigan (Broncos) -----------------------------------------