Lockyer Stars As Broncos Win Battle Of Attrition

Darren Lockyer starred and staked a claim on the Australian number 6 jersey today as the Brisbane Broncos beat the Wests Tigers 32-24 in a battle of attrition in hot and humid conditions at Campbelltown Stadium today.

Despite Darren Lockyer's 5 star performance not everything went the Broncos way as the Wests Tigers seemed to be handling the difficult conditions better going into half time with an 18-12 lead

Enter the second half and enter Darren Lockyer. After a 59th minute penalty to the Broncos where Tigers prop Bryce Gibbs was placed on report for a high tackle on Shane Webcke the Broncos scored 3 back to back tries with Darren Lockyer having a hand in all of them.

It wasn't all doom and gloom however for the Tigers as today's performance proved that they can now compete with any side they just have to do it for 80 minutes instead of 60. For the Broncos it just firther proved that when you play the Brisbane Broncos you have to be prepared to play yourself to a stand still for the whole 80 minutes. Ground: Campbelltown Stadium Referee: Shayne Hayne Video Referee: Mick Stone Touch Judges: Steve Carrall

Scorers: WESTS TIGERS 24 Tries: Moodie, Wilson, Hodgson, Miles Goals: Hodgson 4/5 defeated by BRONCOS 32 Tries: Hunt, Frawley, Parker, McGuire, Carroll Goals: Devere 6/7

By the clock: 0 min: Kick Off. A minutes silence is held to commemorate the passing away of Ex Western Suburbs and Balmain player Scott Gale.

2 min: Try-Broncos: A controversial try to the Broncos fullback Karmichael Hunt. After the video referee rules that Karmichael Hunt was put on side after a Stuart Kelly kick. Michael Devere is successful with the conversion. Broncos 6-0

8 min: Try-Tigers: A great try scored in the corner by new recruit Jason Moodie after he caught a cross field bomb by Ex Bronco Scott Prince. Brett Hodgson is unsuccessful with the conversion. Broncos 6-4

17 min: Goal-Tigers: Brett Hodsgon is successful with a penalty goal from 33 metres out after the Broncos are penalised for being offside. 6 all

19 min: News: Both teams are struggling with the hot and humid conditions.

21 min: Goal-Broncos: Michael Devere is successful with a penalty goal attempt from 25 metres out after the Tigers are penalised for being offside at the ruck. Broncos 8-6

30 min: News: The Tigers are on the attack after Broncos 2nd Rower Brad Myers loses possesion inside his own 20 meter zone.

31 min: Try-Tigers: Tigers interchange player scores next to the posts after running on to a great ball from Ben Reynolds. Brett Hodgson is successful with the conversion. Tigers 12-8

33 min: Try-Broncos: Broncos winger Craig Frawley scores in the corner after some smart lead up work by Darren Lockyer and Brent Tate. Michael Devere is unsuccessful with a difficult conversion attempt. 12 all

39 min: Try Tigers: Tigers fullback Brett Hodgson scores under the posts after being put into a gap by an excellent short ball by Scott Sattler. Hodgson is successful with the conversion. Tigers 18-12

Halftime Report. On a hot and humid day in Sydney's southwest the winner of today's game will be the team that handles the conditions better and after seeing the first half it is no surprise that the Tigers are ahead. The key to them winning today will be handling the conditions better for the 2nd half as well as the 1st half. For the Broncos it isn't all doom and gloom as if any side can handle conditions like this it is Queensland's premier rugby league side the Broncos. The key for them to comeback and win this game will be to frustrate the young Tigers side and dull their enthusiasm. All in all it looks like the fans will see a cracker of a second half.

59 min: News: Tigers prop Bryce Gibbs is placed on report for a high tackle on Broncos prop Shane Webcke.

60 min: Try-Broncos: Corey Parker scores after running onto a great inside ball from Darren Lockyer. Michael Devere is successful with the conversion to equalise. 18 all

69 min: Try-Broncos: Casey McGuire scores a cracker of a try under the posts to end a magnificent movement that went through 9 sets of hands. Michael Devere is successful with the conversion. Broncos 24-18

72 min: Goal Broncos: Michael Devere is successful with a penalty goal from right in front after John Skandalis gives away a penalty for being offside at the ruck while the Tigers had the ball. Broncos 26-18

75 min: Try-Broncos: Broncos lock Tonie Carroll scores next to the post after some more great lead up work from Man Of The Match Darren Lockyer. Michael Devere is successful with the conversion. Broncos 32-18

77 min: Tigers winger Robert Miles runs 20 metres to score a consolation try for the Tigers after some neat lead up work by Todd Payten and Scott Sattler. Brett Hodgson is successful with the conversion. Broncos 32-24

Fulltime: On a hot and humid day both the Broncos and Tigers have given their fans plenty of hope for the 2004 NRL season. For the Tigers it proved that on their day they can compete with any side and for the Broncos it just further proves the theory that from looking like being down and out they can come back from anywhere.

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - D Lockyer(Broncos) 2 - S Webcke(Broncos) 1 - S Sattler(Tigers) -----------------------------------------