Tigers too good in the wet for lazy
Warriors

Fulltime score: Round 5 Warriors 6 Tigers 24 Match summary

The Wests Tigers have defeated the New Zealand Warriors 24-6 at Jade Stadium in Christchurch this evening in a match marred by wet weather and Warriors mistakes.

A feature of the Tigers victory was their desperation defence even in the dying stages of the match when the result was beyond doubt and their willingness to spread the ball at every opportunity and catch the Warriors out on the fringes of the ruck, something they did with consummate ease.

The Tigers won the match very comfortably and did the little things right while the Warriors lacked enthusiasm, structure and discipline with only Steve Price and Stacey Jones showing any signs of resistance. Far too many unforced errors cost the Warriors any chance of victory and their effort looked well below what is expected of a side wanting to win in the NRL.

The Tigers have won their third consecutive match and now sit firmly in the top eight and could be in the top four by the end of the weekend if results go their way. Brett Hodgson is still yet to miss a goal this season and his efforts with the boot were complimented well by the efforts of Paul Whatuira out wide and Scott Prince in the halves.

The Warriors are still yet to register a win outside Auckland in their seventh attempt and coach Tony Kemp?s job will now be firmly in the spotlight after another undisciplined display. Whilst it is still too early in the season for the loss to completely railroad their season, the lack of motivation and desire will see the Warriors making up the numbers yet again if they don?t start to knuckle down and have a dig for the full eighty minutes.

Scorers: WESTS TIGERS 24 Tries: Whatuira x 2, Prince, Richards Goals: Hodgson 4/4 defeated WARRIORS 6 Tries: Byrne Goals: Jones 1/1

Jade Stadium. Crowd: 12,000 (est) Referee: Jason Robinson

By the clock: 1st min: The Tigers are ready to rumble in Christchurch but John Skandalis has been a late withdrawal from the Tigers for personal reasons. Both teams are looking for their third win of the season and a chance to move closer to the all important top four.

8th min: No score yet but the Tigers are playing a very expansive game and have already crossed the stripe only to have the try denied as Paul Whatuira put a foot into touch.

10th min: TRY - Tigers. Paul Whatuira runs the length of the field after he scopped up a Stacey Jones kick and raced off down field with Steve Price and Todd Byrne in pursuit but it was all in vain as Whatuira made it comfortably in the end. Conversion successful. Tigers 6-0.

25th min: No change in the scoreline but it has started raining in Christchurch. The Tigers are still playing the expansive game but the Warriors are starting to find some chinks in the Tigers armour late in the tackle count.

30th min: No change in the score but the Tigers just had a try disallowed to Daniel Fitzhenry in the corner. A touch and go decision by the video ref but it looked to be the right one.

35th min: The Warriors have gone close on several occasions but are yet to register any points in what is shaping up as a very low scoring contest due to the heavy conditions at Jade Stadium.

HALF TIME: Only one try in the opening 40 minutes and it went to the Tigers. The Warriors are still very much in the game and if they can capitalise on breaks made by Nathan Fien and Stacey Jones, they are still a good chance of winning the match. The Tigers have defended stoutly on their own line and although they hold a slender six point lead, they have used a lot of petrol in the first forty to hold the Warriors to nil.

41st min: The second half is underway and in the next forty, both teams will be looking to consolidate their position in the top eight but the weather will be the biggest factor for both teams to overcome.

42nd min: TRY - Tigers. Paul Whatuira gets a double and the job for the Warriors becomes almost insurmountable when you consider the conditions they are playing in. Conversion successful. Tigers 12-0.

52nd min: The Tigers till lead by twelve and time is running out for the Warriors but they are still in with a chance as Steve Price and Stacey Jones have both lifted a notch to get the Warriors rolling.

55th min: TRY - Warriors. Todd Byrne crosses in heavy traffic to breathe life back into the Warriors efforts and they are starting to gain the upper hand. Still plenty of time for the Warriors to winthis one. Conversion successful. Tigers 12-6.

64th min: TRY - Tigers. Scot Prince does it all on his own as he evades some poor Warriors defence to score and pretty much seal the match for the Tigers. The Tigers have played well but the Warriors have been very disappointing tonight. Conversion successful. Tigers 18-6.

72nd min: TRY - Tigers. Pat Richards scores in the corner to seal the match for the Tigers who have beaten a disappointing Warriors side without ever getting out of second gear. Conversion successful. Tigers 24-6.

FULL TIME: The Tigers have run out convincing winners over an oridnary Warriors outfit in Christchurh this evening with the Tigers never really looking in danger of losing the match at any stage. The Warriors have plenty of work to do if they are to be a force in this years premiership. ----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - P Whatuira (Tigers) 2 - S Price (Warriors) 1 - S Prince (Tigers) -----------------------------------------