WESTS TIGERS BEAT PENRITH 40-24 IN NYC
By Wayne Cousins
15/04/2012 2:23:21 PM
Wests Tigers recorded a strong 40-24 victory over Penrith Panthers at Centrebet Stadium today in round 7 of the NYC competition.
In a match played in warm conditions, Wests Tigers forwards stood up to the midweek challenge by coach Todd Payten to roll up their sleeves in defence against the second placed Panthers.
The win moves Wests Tigers to equal first on the ladder following a loss by competition leaders Newcastle on Friday night.
Payten made a few changes to the side for the match, including welcoming back exciting Fijian winger Marika Koroibete from a shoulder injury.
Full-back Kurtis Rowe was ruled out after failing to overcome concussion suffered in the loss to Brisbane last week. He was replaced by five-eighth Manaia Rudolph with Jordan Marshall-King moving to partner Jacob Miller in the halves.
The side got off to a promising start through several strong runs and some good work by Koroibete and half-back Jacob Miller.
The hard work paid off when prop Nathan Brown charged over under the posts for a try off a short ball from hooker Ben Saunders. Five-eighth Manaia Rudolph converted the try for a 6-0 lead after 16 minutes.
Five minutes later, second-rower Joel Luani ran a nice angle off a Miller pass to score next to the posts. The try came off the back of a spiralling 30 metre bomb by Miller which was spilt by Panthers full-back Jarrod Wilson. Rudolph converted the try for a 12-0 lead.
Penrith got back to 12-4 when second-rower Iain Richardson scored off a short ball from a pass by half-back Harry Seijka in the 24th minute. Seijka converted the try for a 12-6 scoreline. The try came off a weight of possession through consecutive penalties inside the Wests Tigers quarter.
Wests Tigers went to a 16-6 lead when Andy Fiagatusa crashed over in the corner. Rudolph converted from the sideline for an 18-6 lead after 37 minutes.
Miller then produced a superb cut out pass in the 39th minute for Koroibete to step inside to race 20 metres to score next to the posts. Rudolph converted the try to give Wests Tigers a 24-6 lead at half-time.
2nd Half
Wests Tigers got off to a fine start to the second half when centre Bradley Soe scored out wide after some good lead up work by Rudolph. Rudolph failed to convert the try for a 28-6 lead.
A mistake again by Wests Tigers from the re-start saw Penrith capitalise when Riccardi scored next to the posts. Seijka converted the try for a 28-12 scoreline after 48 minutes.
Penrith scored five minutes later through winger Zac Mackay out wide. Seijka converted the try for a 28-18 scoreline.
Koroibete then used his strength and speed to brush off 3 defenders in a 30 metre run from a scrum win to score his second try under the posts. Rudolph converted to give Wests Tigers a 34-18 lead after 66 minutes.
It became 38-18 two minutes later when forward turned winger Sitaleki Akaoula offloaded in a 3 man tackle five metres from the tryline for winger David Nofoaluma to score. Rudolph converted the try for a 40-18 lead.
Penrith scored in the 68th minute when winger Jarrod Wilson swooped up an offload off the ground by five-eighth Toby Evans for a 40-22 scoreline. Seijka converted the try for a 40-24 scoreline.
Wests Tigers Team
1 Mania Rudolph, 19 Marika Korobeit, 3 Bradley Sue, 4 Spiel Fine, 5 David Nofoaluma, 17 Jordan Marshall, 7 Jacob Miller, 8 Nathan Brown, 9 Ben Saunders, 10 Kyle Lovett, 11 Joel Luani,12 Brodie Monroe, 13 Brenden Santi, 14 Soni Paasi, 15 Andy Fiagatusa, 16 Inno Inosesio, 2 Sitaleki Akaoula.