Tough Tigers end Rabbits run

Embed from Getty Images

Wests Tigers v South Sydney Rabbitohs

Five Wests Tigers players suffered head knocks, including Farah twice, but the black, white and orange have still managed to jag a comprehensive win against a Souths side that lacked any polish at the end of their sets, finishing 22-6 winners in front of 26,000 fans at ANZ Stadium.

It was the Tigers making the breaks from the outset and in the eighth minute, Marsters ran a great line back infield onto a Marshall pass and he smashed his way over the line for a strong try. Marsters converted.

Marsters was again involved 15 minutes later when he got outside his defender, drew the winger and then flicked a great ball to Nofoaluma, who scored a great try in the corner. Marsters failed to convert from the touchline.

The lead up to that try came on the back of a penalty to the Tigers after Sam Burgess was penalised and put on report for a high tackle on Farah, after which he could be heard giving Farah a mouthful.

The scores remained unchanged at halftime, the Tigers leading 10-0.

Inside the opening ten minutes of the second half, Elijah Taylor came off the field for an HIA, but was cleared 10 minutes later.

The kicking game of Luke Brooks shone brightly in the second half. It was in the 56th minute that his low kick had Graham trapped in-goal and forcing a drop out. From the ensuing set, Benji straightened and then passed right to Chee Kam, who stepped a defender and then linked with Mbye who scored under the posts. Marsters added the extras.

Sam Burgess was again involved in another heavy tackle which saw Nofoaluma come off with concussion. Shortly after, Garner got his head in the wrong place as he went in low for a tackle and got knocked out, ending his night.

With 15 minutes left in the game, Souths were on the attack but as had been the story of the night, they threw one rushed pass too many on the right side. Crichton's catch and pass was intercepted by Thompson who ran 70 metres to score under the posts. Marsters converted.

Five minutes later and Farah got flattened after a head clash with George Burgess and had to be taken off the field via the medicab. Souths got a repeat set from a drop out shortly after. Walker received the ball with nothing happening around him, so he chose to take on the line. He kept pushing after the tackle and reached out to score a strong solo try. Reynolds quickly converted.

Souths failed to add any more points and the Tigers won 22-6 in a gritty performance. Next week these two sides face the bottom two - South Sydney host Parramatta while the Wests Tigers are against Canterbury, both matches at ANZ Stadium.