Tigers upset
Broncos

Wests Tigers have bounced back from a loss to last-placed Souths and have beaten the Broncos 12-10 in a hard fought battle at Suncorp Stadium.

The match got off to a shaky start with both sides not completing their sets with poor ball security.

The first team to get on the board was the home side through Tonie Carroll who used his strength and power to push off a few defenders to dive over near the touchline to score. De Vere's conversion was unsuccessful and that made the score 4-0 in favour of Brisbane.

For the next 10 minutes it was all Broncos with entertaining play from their outside backs through Casey McGuire and their backrowers through Corey Parker. But few minutes later, Robert Miles crossed the line to level the scores up to get them back in the game. Covell converted to give Tigers a narrow 6-4 lead.

With five minutes to go in the second half, Neale Wyatt barged his way over and De Vere scored his first conversion for the night to give the Broncos a 10-6 lead at half time.

Wyatt started the second half as he finished the first with another barnstorming run only to be brought down short of the line. For the next 30 minutes it was a battle in the forwards which resulted in Tigers scoring through Chris Heighnington who got a late call-up into first grade. Luke Covell had no worries with the conversion and gave the Tigers fans some hope with a 12-10 lead and 10 minutes to go.

From there on the Broncos changed from panic mode to throwing the ball around New Zealand Warriors style to brilliant attacking plays but the Tigers defence held - the Tigers deserving winners over Brisbane who have won just one out of six matches at Suncorp and lost four in a row.

Next week the Broncos should regain the services of Lockyer for their Sunday clash in New Zealand against the Warriors.

For the Tigers, they face a freshened up Panthers outfit who had the bye this week and will be pushing for a top four spot on Saturday night.

BRONCOS 10 Tries: Carroll, Wyatt Goals: Devere 1/2 defeated by TIGERS 12 Tries: Miles, Heighnington Goals: Covell 2/2

Saturday 16 August 2003 7:30 PM Suncorp Stadium Referee: Stephen Clark Video Referee: Tim Mander

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - M O'Neill (Tigers) 2 - C Heighnington (Tigers) 1 - S Webcke (Broncos)

By the clock: Preview: Broncos will get tested once again tonight to see if they can win without the likes of Lockyer, Tallis and Ikin, I believe they can win because they were starting to show signs of it in the later stages of their game against Penrith and should produce a win here at Suncorp against the hapless Tigers who went down to Souths at home last week.

0 Min: Kickoff!

3rd Min: NEWS - Early error from Tigers prop John Skandalis and Broncos in a good attacking position.

9th Min: NEWS - No team really gaining momentum as of yet and both teams handling errors mounting.

10th Min: NEWS - First team to crack in defence is the Broncos with Robert Mears slicing through the gap but great scrambling defence from Broncos saves the day.

16th Min: TRY - Broncos. Tonie Carroll makes the Tigers defence look weak by overpowering their outside backs and flying away to score. Devere misses a conversion from 5 metres in from touch. Broncos 4-0.

25th Min: NEWS - Broncos starting to play like their best and finding a few gaps and gaining a bit of momentum with good runs from McGuire and Parker.

27th Min: TRY - Tigers. Robert Miles takes advantage of a mistake from Tonie Carroll and gets the scores level 4-4. Covell converts as Tigers hit the lead. Tigers 6-4.

35th Min: TRY - Broncos. Interchange forward Neale Wyatt gets the Broncos back infront by barging his way over the line. Devere from close range converts. Broncos 10-6.

HALF TIME - The game is close but Broncos are very much in control of this contest. Top Tacklers Broncos: Carlaw (20), Webcke (19). Top Tacklers Tigers : O'Neill (21), Fitzhenry (17).

2nd Half Underway!

42nd Min: NEWS - Neale Wyatt having a fine game with another great show of pace, good run.

53rd Min: NEWS - Broncos still playing better here but Tigers aren't finished yet.

65th Min: NEWS - Not much happening here this game will probably be won in the forwards.

68th Min: TRY - Tigers. Young interchange backrower Chris Heighnington scores his first try in 1st grade and has gave the Tigers a chance to take the match. Luke Covell 15 metres in from touch lands it! Tigers 12-10.

74th Min: NEWS - Broncos starting to panic here under pressure and are making unforced errors.

77th Min: NEWS - A break by Tigers but they couldn't finish it off. Tigers holding on!

80th Min: NEWS - Broncos throwing the ball around but a handling error stops the attack. Michael Devere has made 5 mistakes tonight.

FULL TIME - What a MASSIVE upset which has occured here at Suncorp Stadium, Wests Tigers 12 defeating Brisbane Broncos 10. Tigers fans and players will sleep well tonight they done well infront of this Brisbane Crowd. Top Tacklers Broncos: Webcke (42), Swain (37). Top Tacklers Tigers : O'Neill (40), Laffranchi (30).