Tigers battle past Bulldogs

The Wests Tigers have beaten the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 19-12 tonight, in a tight encounter at ANZ Stadium.

The ground, which was plagued by bad weather all week, was reminiscent of a swamp, forcing both teams to play fairly conservative football.

The Bulldogs drew first blood thanks to a Josh Morris try which eventuated from an Andrew Ryan break, but the Tigers soon hit back with Benji Marshall capitalising on a Luke Patten error to score under the posts.

With the scores locked at 6-6 at half time, both teams began the second half much like the first, with much focus on their kicking games.

An incisive grubber from Brett Kimmorley in the 53rd minute sent Andrew Ryan over for a try, but once again the Tigers came back, with Robbie Farah barging his way over from dummy half in the 60th minute, setting the match up for an exciting finish.

A field goal from Robert Lui in the 70th minute handed the Tigers the momentum, and the Bulldogs never looked like going close after that, with Simon Dwyer running in a late try for the Tigers to take the margin out to seven points.

Both teams will be looking forward to the bye next week.

Match Details
Canterbury Bulldogs 12 were defeated by Wests Tigers 19
National Rugby League - NRL - Round 13 - Friday June 4, 2010 7:35pm
Venue: ANZ Stadium
Referee: Shayne Hayne and Alan Shortall
Video Referee: Bill Harrigan
Touch Judges: Russell Turner and Adam Devcich
Crowd: 0
Halftime: Canterbury Bulldogs 6 Wests Tigers 6

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Gareth Ellis
2 Points - Robbie Farah (1 Try)
1 Point - David Stagg

CANTERBURY BULLDOGS (12)
Tries: Andrew Ryan, Josh Morris
Field Goals: Brett Kimmorley (0/1)
Conversions: Bryson Goodwin (2/2)

WESTS TIGERS (19)
Tries: Robbie Farah, Benji Marshall, Simon Dwyer
Field Goals: Robert Lui (1/1)
Conversions: Benji Marshall (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Benji Marshall (0/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary The torrential rain throughout Sydney for the past fortnight has forced the postponement of tonight's Toyota Cup Under 20's match between Canterbury and the Wests Tigers. This match will be played at a time and venue to be advised. Gates at ANZ Stadium still opened at 5:15pm and fans are being treated to a replay of the 1988 NSWRL Grand Final between Canterbury and Balmain. Heavy rain continues to fall across ANZ Stadium. Kickoff in first grade remains at 7:35pm. Stay tuned!
Welcome from ANZ Stadium for tonight's match between the Bulldogs and the Tigers. The Bulldogs will be looking to bounce back after their loss against Melbourne last week, whilst the Tigers will be hoping to build on their massive win over the Warriors.
In team news, Tim Browne is out with an injury for the Bulldogs, he is replaced by Brad Morrin. For the Tigers, Fitzhenry is a late drop out, with his spot taken by Mitch Brown, Sean Meaney comes onto the bench.
1 min: Ennis kicks off for the Bulldogs, we're underway.
4 min: Possible try for the Bulldogs here. Video referee needs to examine it.
4 min: Refs call - it's a Bulldogs play the ball.
6 min: Mistake from Beau Ryan for the Tigers. Bulldogs have a scrum feed 40m out from the Tigers' line.
7 min: Penalty to the Bulldogs now, Tigers ruled offside. They take the tap.
7 min: Stagg tries to offload, but makes a hash of it and Benji Marshall comes up with the ball for the Tigers.
10 min: Pressure relieving penalty to the Bulldogs 10m out from their own line.
10 min: Pressure relieving penalty to the Bulldogs 10m out from their own line.
11 min: Penalty to the Tigers awarded after Mitch Brown does remarkably well to bring the ball out of the in-goal to save his team from taking the line drop out.
13 min: Robert Lui knocks on. Bulldogs scrum feed 30m out from their own line.
17 min: Both teams playing fairly conservative footy at the moment thanks to the dismal weather.
19 min: Benji Marshall kicks out on the full for the Tigers on the last. Bulldogs have the ball 30m out from the Tigers' line.
20 min: Tigers to take a line drop out after a clever grubber from Brett Kimmorley.
21 min: TRY
Andrew Ryan busts through the Tigers' defensive line and passes back on the inside to Josh Morris who crosses under the posts.
Canterbury Bulldogs 6-0
23 min: Warburton knocks on for the Bulldogs, 30m out from his own line. Tigers have a chance to hit back.
27 min: Potential Bulldogs try here. Video referee is checking it.
27 min: No try. Tigers have a 20m restart.
29 min: Line drop out to be taken by the Bulldogs after Bryson Goodwin is tackled in goal.
30 min: Possible try to the Tigers here after a Luke Patten mistake. Video referee is examining it.
31 min: TRY
Benji Marshall grubbers through for the Tigers, Patten fumbles the ball into the hands of Simon Dwyer who offloads to Marshall to score beneath the posts.
6 all
33 min: Penalty to the Bulldogs. They kick for touch and take the tap 30m out from the Tigers' line.
37 min: Penalty to the Tigers 5m out from their line. They kick for touch and take the tap a further 5m up field.
37 min: Tigers knock on! Bulldogs scrum feed 10m out from the Tigers' line.
38 min: Could be a try here, video referee is checking it
38 min: No try. Tigers to take the line drop out.
39 min: Bulldogs make a mistake in the play the ball. Scrum to the Tigers 20m out from their own line.
40 min: It's half time here at ANZ Stadium. Scores are level at 6-6.
41 min: Second half is underway.
45 min: Both teams have started the second half much like they played the first. Very conservative football being played at the moment.
46 min: Line drop to be taken by the Bulldogs after a well placed grubber from Robbie Farah.
47 min: Knock on from Benji Marshall just when things were looking promising for the Tigers.
48 min: Penalty to the Tigers. They're taking the kick at goal.
49 min: PENALTY GOAL ATTEMPT
Marshall misses the penalty goal from 30m out.
6 all
51 min: 20m restart for the Bulldogs after some smart play from Bryson Goodwin.
52 min: Line drop out to come from the Tigers after Robbie Farah is tackled in goal.
53 min: Possible try to the Bulldogs here. Video referee is checking it.
54 min: TRY
A brilliant grubber from Brett Kimmorley in behind the Tigers' line is grounded for a try by a barnstorming Andrew Ryan. Goodwin is successful with the conversion.
Canterbury Bulldogs 12-6
57 min: Idris knocks on for the Bulldogs. Tigers scrum feed 40m out from their own line.
59 min: Bulldogs knock on again, from a Robbie Farah kick this time. Tigers scrum feed 10m out from the Bulldogs' line.
60 min: TRY
Simple try scored by Robbie Farah as he barges over the line from dummy half. Marshall easily converts the try.
12 all
65 min: Bulldogs break through the Tigers' defence and would have easily scored but for a forward pass, which didn't look all that forward.
70 min: FIELD GOAL
Under absolutely no pressure at all, Robert Lui pots a field goal from right in front of the posts.
Wests Tigers 13-12
73 min: Andrew Ryan knocks on for the Bulldogs after a big tackle from Todd Payten.
74 min: A smart grubber from Robbie Farah and a good chase from the Tigers' backs forces a Bulldogs line drop out after Luke Patten is tackled in goal.
75 min: 20m restart for the Bulldogs after Beau Ryan kicks it dead for the Tigers.
76 min: FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT
Kimmorley attempts a field goal from 40m out, but it goes wide.
Wests Tigers 13-12
77 min: Scrum feed for the Bulldogs 20m out from their own line after a marvellous kick from Benji Marshall.
78 min: Brett Kimmorley knocks on just short of halfway.
79 min: TRY
Simon Dwyer strolls through some lazy Bulldogs defence after a neat pass from Benji Marshall. Marshall converts, no way back for the Bulldogs now.
Wests Tigers 17-12
80 min: Bulldogs reclaim the short kick off, but then knock on almost immediately.
80 min: Full time here at ANZ Stadium, the Tigers are victorious.