Tigers keep finals hopes alive

Round 21
Brisbane Broncos 6 v Wests Tigers 20
at Suncorp Stadium
Referee: Paul Simpkins

Match Summary:
The West Tigers have kept their finals chances alive in 2006 by defeating one of the competition heavyweights in the Brisbane Broncos this afternoon at Suncorp Stadium 20 points to 6. The Tigers attack was great but it was their gritty and scrambling defence that won them the game against a Broncos team who will now be criticised for another poor performance post Origin.

The Tigers started playing an attractive expansive game from the opening minutes. The Broncos had the first real scoring chance of the half in the 17th minute when Brent Tate was ruled offside from a Darren Lockyer kick. 4 minutes after that incident, the Tigers made the Broncos pay with 17-year-old Chris Lawrence scoring in the corner after a Brisbane error. The conversion from playmaker Scott Prince made the score line 6-0 after a quarter of the game. The Tigers defence proved to be too good for the Broncos attack with them holding out the home side on numerous occasions in the first half with some superb scrambling defence. The Tigers extended their lead just before halftime when centre Dean Collis finished a nice movement to score in the corner and give the Tigers a 10-0 lead at the halftime break.

The Broncos had to score first in the second half and retiring front rower Shane Webke delivered by running of a good Tonie Carroll offload close to the line. The Broncos kept attacking the fringes of the Tigers defence but the Tigers just kept showing up in numbers to prevent the try from happening. The task was made much harder for Brisbane when Dean Collis collected his second try in the 63rd minute after some nice passing. The Broncos had numerous occasions to score but could never finish of their chances with either the ball going to ground or the Tigers taking the ball out of their grasp. The Tigers finished the match in style with Ben Jeffery scoring out wide after a nicely weighted kick from hooker Robbie Farah.

Questions will now continue to be asked of the Broncos and their post Origin form. They come up against the Raiders next week down in Canberra which will be a must win game for them while the Tigers travel down to Melbourne to take on the competition leaders.


Scorers:
Brisbane Broncos: 6
Tries: Shane Webcke
Goals: Darren Lockyer 1/1
Wests Tigers: 20
Tries: Dean Collis(2), Chris Lawrence, Ben Jeffery
Goals: Scott Prince 2/4

By the Clock:
Welcome to Suncorp Stadium for this intriguing clash between the Brisbane Broncos and the reigning premiers the West Tigers. Questions have been raised to the Broncos, asking weather they are on the post origin slide yet again in 2006, while the Tigers are trying to keep in touch with the top 8.

Kick off nearly underway!

0 min: NEWS We're underway here at a Warm Brisbane afternoon.

7 min: NEWS Both sides playing some good football. The Tigers playing a more expansive game this week and it's making them look more dangerous with the ball in hand.

13 min: NEWS Brent Tate tackles Scott Prince without the ball and the Tigers recieve a penalty and are on the attack. The Tigers looking very good this afternoon and have come with a game plan to run the big Brisbane forwards around the park.

17 min: NEWS VIDEO REF: The Video ref looking to see if Brent Tate is onside from a Darren Lockyer kick. NO TRY the call and the Tigers hold on for the moment.

21 min: TRY Wests Tigers
A 17 year old rookie winger by the name of Chris Lawrence has scored on his debut. An error from the Broncos is cleaned up by the Tigers and the youngster shows great pace to score.
Prince converts the try
Tigers 6-0

27 min: NEWS A corkscrew like kick from Darren Lockyer nearly results in a try but McDonnell just gets to the ball first and runs 25m in the process. The Broncos are then awarded a penalty for the fullback incorrectly playing the ball.
The Broncos on the attack now.

32 min: NEWS Great defence from the Tigers! They are holding the Broncos out at every chance and it's frustrating the home side. It gets worse for the Broncos as Boyd drops a Scott Prince bomb in the in goal.

35 min: NEWS Minto knocks on close to the Broncos try line. The Tigers have another chance to extend this lead in what has been a very impressive half from the premiers.

38 min: TRY Wests Tigers
Some great movement from the Tigers sees centre Dean Collis score. Prince gets a good ball away to Elford who beats his man and throws a beautiful pass to Collis who goes over in the corner.
Prince just hooks the conversion.
Tigers 10-0

HALFTIME - The Defending Premiers have a 10-0 lead against the Broncos here at Suncorp stadium.

The Tigers have been playing some of the best football they have played this season, especially defensively. Prince has taken control of their attack along with Robbie Farah, while the Broncos are making too many errors at critical stages. This game is not over by a long shot though and the Tigers need to back up their performance in the first half with another great one in the second half.

40 min: NEWS SECOND HALF underway!

48 min: TRY Brisbane Broncos
Some good aggressive running from Tonie Carroll opens up a hole for Shane Webke.
Lockyer converts the front rowers try as the Broncos mascot breaks down.
Tigers 10-6

57 min: NEWS Hodges goes close to scoring outwide but again the Tigers hold on and take the centre into touch.

60 min: NEWS The Tigers some how yet again hold the Broncos off. Desperate stuff from the Premiers!

63 min: TRY Wests Tigers
Dean Collis gets his second try for the afternoon after some good ball movement. The Tigers bench and the Tigers fans erupt here at Suncorp stadium as they move out to a 8 point lead.
Prince converts to make the scoreline 16-6
Tigers 16-6

67 min: NEWS A great fast end to end contest at the moment. The Broncos need to hit back and they need to hit back now.

68 min: NEWS Unbelievable! A half break from Boyd finds Lockyer who gets another offload which finds the fullback again who throws a pass out to Tate but not before Dean Collis comes out of no where and steals the ball in the air before the ball reaches Tate. Great Stuff!

70 min: NEWS VIDEO REF - We are looking to see Corey Parker has done a double movement or if momentum brought him to the line. Looks certain to be No Try and a penalty against the Broncos and that?s exactly what the decision is.

73 min: NEWS Another chance goes begging for the Broncos when Justin Hodges losses the ball 20m away from the try line. The Tigers are now only 7 minutes away from winning this contest.

76 min: NEWS The Broncos final pass yet again gets intercepted by a Tigers player and that should be the ball game.

77 min: NEWS VIDEO REF - Possible try to Ben Jeffrey. Try awarded and the Tigers have won a great game.

77 min: TRY Wests Tigers
Ben Jeffery finishes of a kick from Robbie Farah and collects the try as the Tigers ride home to victory.
Prince misses the conversion.
Tigers 20-6

FULLTIME here at Suncorp stadium.
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Scott Prince
2 - Dean Collis
1 - Taniela Tuiaki
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