Tigers grab important win over Roosters

The Wests Tigers have entered the top eight after a close shave 17-10 win over the Sydney Roosters at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Keith Galloway labeled the match against the Roosters as the Wests Tigers most important game since the 2005 Grand Final. Like the Grand Final, the Tigers came up with the goods at the times when it most mattered with today's victory.

The Tigers were well off pace in the first half with the Roosters ducking to an early 8-0 lead following tries out wide to Setaimata Sa and Shaun Kenny-Dowall. The Tigers looked out of it, and it took a brilliant individual effort from winger Taniela Tuiaki to give them momentum and points. The margin was just four points and the game well and truly on.

The entertaining second half however proved to be a penalty-fest. An effort by Tuiaki enabled Rooster Mitchell Aubusson to be sin-binned. The Tigers took until the end of his binning to put points on, coming from a strange penalty Beau Ryan scored from a great Galea pass to send the Tigers in front.

Roosters captain Craig Fitzgibbon levelled it up but it was certainly the Tigers day. They had lifted to their peak and Beau Ryan's second sealed the day. Robbie Farah sealed the win up with a field goal to give the Tigers their win and move them into the top eight. The Roosters stay firmly on the bottom, hoping Cronulla lose tomorrow.

Match Details Wests Tigers 17 def Sydney Roosters 10 Round 22 - Sunday August 9th, 2009 02:00pm Venue: Sydney Football Stadium Referee: Gavin Badger & Tony De Las Heras Sideline Officials: Russell Turner & Mohamad Fajajo Video Referee: Phil Cooley Crowd: 16,427 Halftime: Sydney Roosters 8 Wests Tigers 4

Sydney Roosters 10 Tries: Setaimata Sa, Shaun Kenny-Dowall Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon (1/3) Wests Tigers 17 Tries: Taniela Tuiaki, Beau Ryan (2) Goals: Benji Marshall (2/3) Field Goals: Robbie Farah (1/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Match 3 Points: Benji Marshall (Tigers) 2 Points: Willie Mason (Roosters) 1 Point: Beau Ryan (Tigers)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Talk about the game as it happens - Roosters v Tigers forum discussion - click here!

ROOSTERS: 1. Sam Perrett 2. Iwi Hauraki 3. Mitchell Aubusson 4. Setaimata Sa 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Anthony Minichiello 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Frank-Paul Nuuausala 9. Jake Friend 10. Lopini Paea 11. Sia Soliola 12. Willie Mason 13. Craig Fitzgibbon Interchange: 14. Stanley Waqa 15. Shane Shackleton 16. Riley Brown 17. Ben Jones; TIGERS: 1. Shannon Gallant 2. Taniela Tuiaki 3. Blake Ayshford 19. Dean Collis 5. Beau Ryan 6. Benji Marshall 7. Tim Moltzen 8. Bryce Gibbs 9. Robbie Farah 10. Todd Payten 11. Gareth Ellis 12. Danny Galea 13. Corey Payne Interchange: 14. John Morris 15. Chris Heighington 16. Keith Galloway 17. John Skandalis;

Toyota Cup Sydney Roosters 32 Earl 2, Clayton, Towers, Williamson, Leolahi tries, Towers 4 goals Wests Tigers 56 Sauvao 2, Mullany 2, Fifita 2, Jackson, Dwyer, Nicholls, Pulu tries, Mullany 8 goals

Welcome to the Sydney Football Stadium for what will be an interesting match between the Sydney Roosters and the Wests Tigers. The Roosters are coming off their first win in awhile, hoping to go back-to-back for the first time in 2009. The Tigers are coming off a thrilling win on Monday against Manly, and will look to back up and continue their late charge towards the finals.

The biggest surprise coming in today is Anthony Minichiello playing five-eighth for the Roosters. This will also be the first time he plays the Tigers since a 26-16 loss in 2005. The last time the Roosters and the Tigers met was early in the year, the Tigers came up with a powerful 40-24 win.

In late changes, the Tigers will miss Chris Lawrence for this match. Dean Collis comes into the side. Both sides are making their way out, we'll be underway soon.

1 min: Benji Marshall kicks the game off, we're underway!

1 min: Soliola already makes a mistake with the play-the-ball. Horrid start.

2 min: PENALTY TIGERS Markers not square, Tigers still continuing their start.

3 min: Marshall grubbers ahead and Minichiello takes it dead, even though there wasn't much pressure.

4 min: PENALTY TIGERS The attack of the Tigers will continue.

5 min: PENALTY ROOSTERS Ellis called not straight whilst playing the ball, didn't look like there was too much in it once again. The whistle won't last long as this rate.

6 min: TRY Sydney Roosters Coming from great runs by Fitzgibbon and Perrett, Minichiello made use of his new position at five-eighth to get the ball to Fitzgibbon who made a great pass to send Setaimata Sa over the line for the opening try. Conversion attempt by Craig Fitzgibbon unsuccessful. Sydney Roosters 4-0

10 min: Gallant takes a grubber kick extremely well, getting back into the field of play despite a haul of defenders.

14 min: PENALTY ROOSTERS Following some great play by the Tigers moments ago. Great start to the match.

17 min: The Tigers are unable to once again take a great opportunity. The grubber of the set went a bit too far.

18 min: PENALTY ROOSTERS Holding down. Penalty count is already 3-2.

18 min: TRY Sydney Roosters Shaun Kenny-Dowall continues his great recent form with a try. Minichiello made one of his trademark skipping runs to make metres, and afterwards they are able to earn an overlap on the side to get their second try of the match. Conversion attempt by Craig Fitzgibbon unsuccessful. Sydney Roosters 8-0

19 min: Pearce nearly fumbles the kick off but he has held it.

22 min: Marshall tried for what could be seen as a miracle play. Almost got it too. John Morris is on early, Gallant is off for a knee injury. Should be back.

25 min: PENALTY TIGERS Can they put something on this set?

29 min: PENALTY TIGERS Pearce staying on Tuiaki too long. They will move into the Roosters half.

31 min: VIDEO REFEREE - Possible Tigers Try Ellis gets a great pass away to Tuiaki, who grubbers for himself to score. We're checking to see if he has landed the ball...

31 min: TRY Wests Tigers That's a try, they're on the board. A great effort from the big winger. Conversion attempt by Benji Marshall unsuccessful. Sydney Roosters 8-4

36 min: The Roosters get their hands working again, the passes looking good. On an injury update Gallant might not be back, the jacket is on.

37 min: PENALTY ROOSTERS Soliola makes a great fifth-tackle, and then earn a penalty. Four all the count and they will have a big chance before the break.

38 min: PENALTY TIGERS Moltzen knocks on, but Perrett was called offside whilst making the tackle. Strange call.

Half Time Sydney Roosters lead Wests Tigers 8-4 An interesting first half, the second will be unpredictable. We'll be back soon!

41 min: The Roosters get the second half underway.

46 min: PENALTY TIGERS SIN BIN ROOSTERS Mitchell Aubusson in the sin bin, a huge call there. The penalty looked a bit iffy, and the Tigers have a huge advantage.

48 min: The Roosters defenders stick solid, the Tigers couldn't break through.

51 min: PENALTY TIGERS Another penalty. The count is 9-6. Again...there didn't look like there was anything in it.

55 min: TRY Wests Tigers Coming off the penalty Galea gets a good ball to winger Ryan to score the try. Aubusson coming back on. Conversion attempt by Benji Marshall successful. Wests Tigers 10-8

58 min: Moltzen and Ryan take Minichiello in a great tackle near the line following a great pass and run from Mason.

61 min: PENALTY ROOSTERS 10 metres out from the line...checking what they are doing...looks like they'll kick for goal.

62 min: PENALTY GOAL Sydney Roosters No mistake there. 10 all

64 min: Line drop out for Wests as Hauraki nearly gifts them a try. Farah looking groggy. Tigers on the attack.

65 min: Kenny-Dowall knocks on an attempted intercept, Tigers will have another set.

67 min: TRY Wests Tigers Ryan scores his second try with Marshall making the play there creating the overlap. Conversion attempt by Benji Marshall successful. Wests Tigers 16-10

70 min: VIDEO REFEREE - Possible Tigers Try Seeing if a Tiger has dropped the ball on the way to an individual effort...looks like there are two in there...

70 min: NO TRY Roosters will get the scrum.

72 min: PENALTY ROOSTERS Farah penalised, here they come.

73 min: Handover, four Tigers got Jones and now they'll have to hold onto the ball.

74 min: Marshall boots a 40/20!

75 min: FIELD GOAL Wests Tigers Farah boots what should be the winner. Wests Tigers 17-10

78 min: The Tigers get another set and they'll be celebrating once again this week.

Full Time Wests Tigers defeat Sydney Roosters 17-10 The Tigers come back from eight down to score a comfortable seven point win over the Roosters. Thanks for joining us.