On the high horse - Broncos riding to the top

In his 340th NRL game, veteran superstar Darren Lockyer has controlled his side to a victory on Wests Tigers home turf to down them 31-18 at the SFS in front of 19,494 fans.. The inspirational captain dominated in all aspects of his game.

The match started firing early for both sides with high completion sets. It was back and forth for 20 minutes until the dead lock was broken through Jharal Yow Yeh as from the 30 metre line, the ball kicked high into the in-goal area from Darren Lockyer, leaping through the air to beat Matt Utai to collect the ball and grounding it over the line. Corey Parker with the conversion, 20 metres in from touch and 21 metres out from the posts, and is goes over the black dot, the score starting at 6 points to NIL.

Continuing their role as within the next set the Broncos had the ball, in the 23rd minute we went to the Video Referee for the first time to look at a possible try to Alex Glenn. The decision from Tim Mander was Refs Call, and on-field referee Brett Suttor awarded the simple try for the Broncos through soft defence from the Tigers out of dumbie half as Glenn in a pushing run to the line, beat Simon Dywer and Tim Moltzen to slide over the line. Parker not making any mistakes tonight, kicking the ball through the uprights. At this point they led 12 points to NIL.

The Wests Tigers not being able to get going, the Broncos continuing their dominating attack on the back of brillant work from Jharal Yeh Yow as he opened up the Tigers line. As Sam Thaiday rampaging on the last tackle in the set to fend off players of the Tigers in an exciting piece of play to find the line and picks up the four pointer. Corey Parker back on his game, now kicking 3/3 as the ball hit the upright on the left side, it bounced off it and went between the sticks. 18-0.

The swing was starting for the Wests Tigers in the 33rd minute as from the ruck, Robbie Farah passed it wide to Robert Lui as he took the line on to create a hole for fullback wearing the 7, Tim Moltzen collected the inside ball and went through the gap and almost wrapped up by Corey Parker but twisting to plant the ball over the line. Benji Marshall making no mistake with the boot. Fighting back 18 points to 6, 7 minutes before the break.

The Tigers looking to hold the score to 18 points to 6 at the break, but 3 minutes before half time. A kick on the 5th tackle, chased down to the Tigers line by the Bronocs attack. The ball went down to the winger Beau Ryan, as he dumbed the ball he was hit hard by Alex Glenn forcing the error from him. Glenn picked up the loose ball and got it to Peter Wallace and diving over the white wash for the four points. Good kick chase from the Brisbane side. Parker continues to make no mistake here, kicking the ball through the posts for the conversion. And on the siren Lockyer close the line on the 4th tackle popped the field goal inside the 10 metre zone of the Tigers. The Video Referee confirmed that the ball cross the bar and the field goal was given. At half time, the Broncos convincingly leading the Tigers 25 points to 6.

The Broncos fans would of been happy with the performance in the opening play. The errors needed to be looked at the break, as early on when both sides came close to the line the errors were forced under pressure. The Wests Tigers star 5/8th Benji Marshall needed to step up in the 2nd half as he hadn't put his unique mark on the match yet holding back quietly in the opening 40 minutes.

Time on in the 2nd half and both sides not as strong early on, with errors in the form of knock on's plaguing both teams. Although 8 mins into the second half, from dumbie half Lui went looking for the whitewash, as he beat 3 players of the Broncos defensive line mainly Nick Kenny failing to stop him close as the ball was planted over the line under the goal posts. Which was an easy kick for Marshall to convert the try. Looking to start their come back, hitting back 25 points to 12.

Not long after the previous try, it was starting to look like game on from the Tigers and it followed through with typical Marshall and Lui play, as the ball went from right to left as Lui threw it wide across the face of the defensive line to find Tim Moltzen for his second as he found a gap in the line to beat the tacklers. Not a hard kick at goal, it was successful. Tigers on a role with 3 tries now, 25 points to 18.

In the 64th minute, Video Referee Mander was brought in again to have a look at a possible try to Tigers winger Ryan, but it was given NO TRY! for a knock on in the in-goal area thus ruling a 20 metre tap for the Broncos as the touch from Copley ruled to have gone backwards in his effort to stop the scoring play. Only 4 minutes later, and in game 340, Darren Lockyer from the scrum base (on the back of another knock from the Tigers), took it from the pass of Corey Parker as he went into the gap through the Tigers defensive line as he dumbed the ball and broke free to cross the white stripe for his own four point in a certain man of the match performance. Not to out done, Parker not missing tonight, kick successful for the conversion, leading in what was to be the full time score.

Finally out of the match, possible ankle injury to Tigers centre Blake Ayshford which he suffered in the 74th minute. Also Bronco Peter Wallace was placed on report for leading with the knees (dropping of the knees) in the tackle in the 75th minute. So, after 80 minutes, the Brisbane Broncos running away in the end deserve winners to beat the Wests Tigers 31 points to 18. The attacking style from the Broncos was simple but efficient and effective to down the terrible Tigers after 80 minutes of error filled football from the "home" side.

Match Details
Wests Tigers 18 were defeated by Brisbane Broncos 31
National Rugby League - Round 7 - Friday April 22, 2011 7:30pm
Venue: Sydney Football Stadium
Referee: Tony Archer and Brett Suttor
Video Referee: Tim Mander
Touch Judges: Russell Turner and Grant Atkins
Crowd: 19,494
Halftime: Wests Tigers 6 Brisbane Broncos 24

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Darren Lockyer (1 Try, 1 Field Goal)
2 Points - Jharal Yow Yeh (1 Try)
1 Point - Corey Parker (5 Conversions)

WESTS TIGERS (18)
Tries: Tim Moltzen (2), Robert Lui
Conversions: Benji Marshall (3/3)

BRISBANE BRONCOS (31)
Tries: Darren Lockyer, Sam Thaiday, Peter Wallace, Jharal Yow Yeh, Alex Glenn
Field Goals: Darren Lockyer (1/1)
Conversions: Corey Parker (5/5)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Team Changes for the clash tonight. Wests Tigers have lost full-back Wade McKinnon for tonight's match against Brisbane at SFS. Moltzen to full-back with Robert Lui returning early from injury to play in the number 7 role, in jumper 18.

Broncos at this stage are 1-17. They welcome back from injury Ben Hunt who is in number 17 off the bench, Also. Matt Gillett was ruled out for a maximum of 10 weeks.

Welcome to Round 7, Friday Night Football, the Live updates tonight for this match, between the Wests Tigers and the Brisbane Broncos from the Sydney Football Stadium. The Broncos are looking for 6 in a row tonight and the Tigers looking to pick up from the lose over the Titans to make it 2 in a row. The battle tonight will focus on the two 5/8th in Marshall and Lockyer, who will win?

With key injuries to Wade McKinnion out again tonight, with Tim Moltzen filling in at fullback and the returning Robert Lui will take Moltzen's spot in jersey 18. The Broncos are all but 1 through 17 with 2nd Rower, Matt Gillett ruled out with Dane Carlaw to replace him, with Josh Mcguire in number 18 comes onto the bench.
Kick off is underway for the match between the Wests Tigers and the Broncos. As Tigers captain Robbie Farah celebrates his 150th NRL match. Time on says Referee Tony Archer, as Corey Parker send the ball down to the in goal area and the Tigers will get the first set of the match
1 min: Good attacking first set from the Wests Tigers, as they kick it away from the 40m line on the 4th tackle through Rob Lui.
2 min: The Broncos complete their first set of the match, completed by a bomb kick from Lockyer sending it high from the 20m line, with Moltzen defusing it for the Tigers.
3 min: Knock on after a nice run and offload from Parker, Scrum feed to Tigers 20m from their line. Good early play from both sides.
4 min: Penalty now Tigers, Farah kicks for touch and the Tigers run it out from the 40m line of the Broncos.
6 min: Nice set from the Tigers there, running it wide through Lui, but trying to throw it around the defence but forward pass ruled against the Tigers. As Broncos on the 2nd tackle in the next set get a penalty, with Keith Galloway conceding the penalty for laying in the ruck. they play it inside the Tigers half
7 min: Two attacking plays at the line from both sides now, and both ended in a forward pass to Thaiday and Tigers get a scrum feed, 10m from their line. Error count is 2-1 in favour of the Tigers.
10 min: Second peanlty against the Tigers for laying in the ruck, this time against captain Robbie Farah. Broncos have the ball for a set inside the Tigers 20m line.
11 min: On the back of penalty, Andrew Fifita doing well forcing the knock on, and Tigers work the bal out of their 10m zone.
12 min: The errors are starting to creep in the match, now Matt Utai on the 2nd tackle of the set, knocks on in a one on one hit.
13 min: Scrum feed to the Tigers on the back of another error from the Broncos, as Parker trying to get Thaiday into a hole, but knocking on.
15 min: Benji Marshall completing the set with a long kick into the corner down towards Copley, he collects it and runs it out the 10m line. It's end to end football at the moment after 14 minutes. Once a team gets the line, the pressure gets to them and errors are costing possible tries.
16 min: First interchange for the Broncos as Nick Kenny enters the match.
17 min: Not a good 5th tackle option from the Broncos, error at the line again, Asyhford picked up the mess to run 30 metres before getting an offload inside to Benji and he was hugged to the ground.
20 min: TRY
From the 30 metre line, the ball kicked high into the in-goal area from Darren Lockyer, leaping through the air to beat Matt Utai to collect the ball and grounding it over the line. Corey Parker with the conversion, 20 metres in from touch and 21 metres out from the posts, and is goes over the black dot.
Brisbane Broncos 6-0
21 min: Three penalties against the Tigers for laying in the ruck.Another one given, Aaron Woods too much in the tackle. Broncos play the ball inside the Tigers 10m zone.
22 min: Video Referee Decision pending. Alex Glenn may of scored for the Broncos second.
23 min: TRY
Video Referee says Refs Call, and Brett Suttor awards the simple try for the Broncos through soft defence from the Tigers out of dumbie half as Glenn in a pushing run to the line, beat Simon Dywer and Tim Moltzen to slide over the line. Parker not making any mistakes tonight, kicking the ball through the uprights.
Brisbane Broncos 12-0
26 min: Scrum feed to the Broncos on their own 10 metre line now. After the Tigers kick the ball down into touch. and NOW! Yeh Yow went for a good run, betting the right side defence.
27 min: TRY
On the back of brillant work from Yeh Yow, Sam Thaiday rampaging on the last tackle in the set to fend off players of the Tigers in an exciting piece of play to find the line and picks up the four pointer. Corey Parker back on his game, now kicking 3/3 as the ball hit the upright on the left side, it bounced off it and went between the sticks.
Brisbane Broncos 18-0
27 min: The Broncos have had all the ball and the flow has been with them but they break it now trying to run out of their own 30 metre zone, scrum feed went the way of the Tigers as they set to score their first of the match.
33 min: TRY
From the ruck, Farah passing it wide to Robert Lui as he took the line on to create a hole for fullback wearing the 7, Tim Moltzen to collect the inside ball and through the gap and almost wrapped up by Corey Parker but twisting to plant the ball. Benji Marshall making no mistake with the boot.
Brisbane Broncos 18-6
34 min: The Tigers on the back of the penalty for Broncos players laying in the ruck. They go on the attack inside the 20 metre line of the Broncos.
35 min: Looking for their second try, Robbie Farah from the play of the ball kicking a small grubber between the legs of the defence, but it had too much on it and rolled over touch. 20 m restart for the Broncos.
37 min: TRY
From the kick on the 5th tackle, chasing down to the Tigers line as the ball went down to the winger Beau Ryan, as he dumbed the ball he was hit hard by Alex Glenn forcing the error from him, picked up from Peter Wallace and diving over the white wash for the four points. Good kick chase from the Brisbane side. Parker continues to make no mistake here, kicking the ball through the white posts for the conversion.
Brisbane Broncos 24-6
39 min: Video Referee Decision on a field goal to Darren Lockyer.
40 min: FIELD GOAL
Lockyer close the line on the 4th tackle popped the field goal inside the 10 metre zone of the Tigers. Video Referee confirms that the ball cross the bar and Lockyer gets the one point on half time.
Brisbane Broncos 25-6
HALF TIME: The Broncos fans would be happy with the performance as they go out to a lead at the break 25 points to 6. The errors need to be looked at the break, as early on when both sides came close to the line the errors were forced under pressure. The Wests Tigers star 5/8th needs to step up in the 2nd half as he hasn't but his unqiue mark on the match yet holding back quietly in the opening 40 minutes.

Broncos' Darren Lockyer on the other hand has controlled his match for his side comfortably in the 5/8th role as his side is dominating the plays and the field position. Comments have to go to the great running from both Corey Parker and Jharal Yeh Yow which have given direction to the attacking structure of the side.

What needs to happen now, the Wests Tigers need to wake up and get Marshall in the action, the addition of Lui has helped them but they only had 39% of the ball in the opening play. If that can change they can win this and come from behind. Beau Ryan back in his first game needs to fix his positional choices at the back. I have been critising winger Matt Utai and it continues with errors from him tonight and weak in defence, playing Yeh Yow's runs effortless when he takes on him.
Teams running out onto the Sydney Football Stadium for the second half. Benji Marshall gets us underway for the second 40. The Broncos will run the ball out of their in-goal area.
41 min: Scrum feed Tigers win it and play it inside the Broncos 30 metre zone after a forward pass was ruled.
42 min: From the scrum good set, although ball when to ground on the 4th tackle with Gareth Ellis getting the mess and straightening up before on the last tackle Robert Lui knocking the ball on, it was collected the ball and rolling into the in goal area, but he was penalised for throwing the ball away.
43 min: 4th tackle play from the Tigers showing some attacking flare in the set with running on the blind side with short passing but lack of direction as Farah got it away to Chris Heighington before he went charging for 20 metres.
45 min: 20 metre restart from the Tigers after another structured play from the Broncos, the 5th tackle kick rolling over the dead ball line as they Tigers play it out of the Broncos half.
46 min: He has been good so far tonight, as Yow Yeh making a break through the line but on the defence of Chris Heighington, he coughed up the ball.
48 min: TRY
From dumbie half Lui went looking for the whitewash, beating 3 players of the Broncos defensive line mainly Nick Kenny failing to stop him close as the ball was planted over the line under the goal posts. Which was an easy kick for Marshall to convert the try.
Brisbane Broncos 25-12
49 min: Penalty against Sam Thaiday for losing the ball as he wasn't tackled and Thaiday played the ball without the ref calling held.
50 min: The penalty count evening up at 5-all now. With Ben Hannant laying in the ruck to concede the penalty.
52 min: TRY
Typical Marshall and Lui play, from right to left as Lui throwing it wide across the face of the defensive line to find Tim Moltzen for his second as he found a gap in the line to beat the tacklers. Kick at goal was successful.
Brisbane Broncos 25-18
54 min: Knock on from Marshall, The Broncos going on the attack inside the 20 metre line. But now the Broncos on the back of that get a penalty conceded by Bryce Gibbs
56 min: Knock on in the hit contact from Robert Lui, Parker losing the ball from the contact. Scrum feed the way of the Tigers as they will work it from the Broncos 20 metre line.
57 min: 40/20 Attempt from Robbie Farah but falling a metre short of the 20 line. Scrum feed goes to the Broncos as the ball bounced into touch.
58 min: Another penalty against Bryce Gibbs for a high shot. Bronocos go on the attack inside 20 metre zone of the Tigers. Looking to extend their lead.
60 min: Good defensive set from the Tigers. Change over against the Broncos, as they attacked the line for the set of six, as a possible forward pass in the play as they charged towards the line, but ending the set of six.
62 min: All but attacking set from the Tigers as they were looking for their 4th try. Typical tigers play from Benji Marshall going through Lui to create something from nothing. But on the last the ball from Marshall went to the touch judge as Matt Utai failing to collect the pass. Scrum feed going to the Broncos after Tony Archer ruled the ball was not played at by Lockyer as it bounced into touch.
64 min: Video Referee Decision, possible try to Beau Ryan, great little grubber kick from Robert Lui
64 min: NO TRY! awarded against Beau Ryan, knock on in the in-goal area thus ruling a 20 metre tap for the Broncos as the touch from Copley ruled to have gone backwards.
64 min: Knock on against the Wests Tigers as the Broncos inside the 10 metre zone. Blake Ayshford jumping from the line getting a hand to it to stop the passing game. Scrum feed given to the Broncos, 10 metres out for another set.
68 min: TRY
In game 340, Lockyer from the scrum base took it from the pass of Parker and went into the gap in the Tigers defensive line as he dumbed the ball and broke free to cross the white strip for his own four point in a certain man of the match performance. Not to out done, Parker not missing tonight, kick successful for the conversion.
Brisbane Broncos 31-18
71 min: Tigers conceding another penalty, through Blake Ayshford having his hand on the ball. Broncos go on the attack 10 metres out from the line. They went looking for the line on the 2nd play but held up in goals, they go back on the attack from the 10.
72 min: Wallace throwing the ball in front of one and behind another to the blind side to get the hole opened up for Alex Glenn to go through, but too much on the pass, knocked on and the Tigers getting the scrum feed as they work it out of their 30 metre zone.
73 min: On the second tackle, Dale Copley went for a run, they are still attacking strong not giving in, as he is wrapped up on halfway.
74 min: Injury: Possible ankle injury for Blake Ayshford as he remains in back play with the trainer. Looks like he will come from the field.
74 min: Scrum feed to the Wests Tigers as Justin Hodges making the error knocking on the ball. The Broncos look set to collect the 2 points to be outright leaders of the competition.
75 min: PENALTY Tigers: Peter Wallace concedes it as the touch judge reported to Tony Archer as he lead with the knees into a tackle.
76 min: Forward pass ruled against the Tigers 5/8th, in a quiet game he makes another mistake.
79 min: Penalty this time against Chris Heighington, that is 16 in the match now. Broncos will finish this game with the ball.
80 min: Kick from the broncos on the 4th tackle hits the upright collected by Sean Meaney, he was wrapped up and tackled on full time. The Wests Tigers poor again, as they go down two in a row.
FULL TIME: The Brisbane Broncos running away in the end deserve winners to beat the Wests Tigers 31 points to 18. The attacking style from the Broncos was simple but efficient and effective to down the terrible Tigers after 80 minutes of error filled football from the "home" side.