The Wests Tigers have collected their fourth win of the season defeating St George-Illawarra by 34-18 at Bankwest Stadium tonight to give their finals hopes a big boost in front of their home fans.
It was a controlled performance from star halfback Luke Brooks who made the difference, having a hand in two tries and controlling the game with a superb kicking performance from the under-pressure halfback. Brooks was ably supported by the scintillating Daine Laurie, who was a constant threat in attack for the Tigers and continues to push as the buy of the season after his move from the high-flying Panthers in the off season.
St George on the other hand will rue a high error rate and blew multiple opportunities to get back in the game as they now risk slipping out of the Top 8 following results from Round 12. Halfback Ben Hunt was easily the best player for his side, but he had few allies in a very disappointing performance from Anthony Griffin's men.
Wests Tigers struck first when fullback Laurie produced a superb cut out ball for Adam Doueihi and the Tigers form player delivered the ball onto the chest of his speedster winger in James Roberts who fittingly touched down in Indigenous Round and the Tigers led 6-0.
The Tigers continued with their momentum, when Luke Brooks kicked high on the last with Tommy Talau who leaped highest, to then offload in the one motion and the ball goes wide for David Nofoaluma to score and it was 12-0 after 25 minutes.
Luke Brooks continued his sides dominance, when he and Talau combined down the left-hand side to send Daine Laurie away to score next to the posts to extend the lead to 18-0 at the break in a superb first half performance by Michael Maguire's men.
The Dragons needed to score first and they did so when Tigers centre Talau put down a cross field kick. Dragons winger Brayden Wiliame was on the spot to score an easy try and get his side back in the game.
The Tigers however hit back when Alex Seyfarth scored his first NRL try following a cross field bomb from Adam Doueihi, with the Tigers interchange forward showing more determination to leap high to score and extend his sides lead to 24-6 following Douehi's conversion from out wide.
Wests Tigers then made it back-to-back tries, when on the attack close to the line, Daine Laurie nailed a superb cut out pass onto the chest of Tommy Talau to score. Doueihi missed the conversion but the Tigers where away at 28-6 with 20 minutes remaining.
James Roberts then scored his second try, following a neat ball down the short side from Moses Mbye close to the line. Doueihi converted and it was 28-6.
St George then fought back late in the match with consolation tries to Ben Hunt and through rookie Talatau Amone to save face in a disappointing 34-18 loss.
Wests now face a weakened Panthers side next Friday night following Origin selection on Sunday evening in a golden chance to end the Penrith's unbeaten run at their spiritual home at Leichardt Oval.
St George now head back to Sydney next Thursday night where they will look to bounce back against the Brisbane Broncos.