Wests Tigers won their third game of the season in a 36-22 success against Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs on Friday night at Leichhardt Oval.
Jackson Hastings had the ball on a string in directing the Tigers around in their fourteen point win which had the joint venture leading 18-0 at the break before they rallied past a gallant Bulldogs for a huge win.
Two desperate sides came to a soggy Leichhardt Oval on Friday night. It wasn't a game of the highest quality but the Tigers had enough class through Hastings to claim their third win of the season. They got the scoring started with a four pointer to Luke Garner to make it 4-0.
The Tigers continued to dazzle in the first half. Stylish winger Ken Maumalo gave the dedicated fans on a Friday night some joy with a pair of fantastic putdowns in the left corner which helped stretch the joint venture's advantage to 18-0.
After getting a bake from interim coach Mick Potter at the break, Bulldogs came out ready for action. Two of their big off-season signings in Tevita Pangai-Junior and Matt Burton combined for the latter to get them on the board.
Their cause was helped with Hastings being binned for offside after a long break. Bulldogs made the man advantage count with tries to Jeremy Marshall-King and young winger Jacob Kiraz which brought it back to 18-16.
The game continued to swing like a rusty gate between two lowly sides with Bulldogs centre Aaron Schoupp the next to head to the bin for a dangerous tackle. Tigers quickly profited through a returning Nu Brown against his old side.
From there the Tigers turned on the class. Jock Madden chipped for himself to give them some breathing space then Brown came back to haunt his former side again with a late burrowing effort which made it 36-22.
Dogs did give themselves a chance for the comeback when Schoupp dived over to make it eight the difference but it wasn't enough. A torrid week for the Bulldogs ended with another loss but despite their comeback cameo in the second half.
For the Tigers, it was a relief to pick up a vital two points. It was also a good way to celebrate game 100 for Alex Twal who received a standing ovation when he interchanged late in the contest for a HIA check.