Match Report: NYC Round 10
Dan Talintyre
Sat 17th May, 02:35PM
Wests Tigers have survived a second-half comeback from the Cronulla Sharks to emerge with a 34-24 victory from their Round 10 match at Remondis Stadium.
Five-eighth Te Maire Martin was instrumental in the victory — orchestrating the play to both score tries and set them up — and combined brilliantly with halfback Eli Levido to give the visitors a strong 10-point lead.
Wests Tigers started the stronger of the two teams, and on the back of strong field position and possession, crossed for the first points of the match through Liolevave in just the fifth minute of play. The powerful second-rower ran a great line close to the Sharks’ line, and Martin’s short ball found him well. Matthew Woods added the extras for a strong six-point lead — a margin that was soon extended in the 14th minute.
Liolevave powered his way through the line again after a nice inside ball from Martin, and grabbed his second try of the day out wide.
Woods couldn’t add the extras, though, and the score remained 10-0.
The Sharks quickly hit back in the 18th minute through Anthony Moraitis after the centre was quickest to respond to a kick back on the inside.
Valentine Holmes duly added the extras to narrow the margin to 10-6.
Wests Tigers would soon extend their lead, though, in the 23rd minute through Dallas Graham after the forward powered his way through the line next to the posts — giving Woods a much simpler conversion this time.
That would see the visitors hold a 16-6 lead, which is how it would read at the main break — despite plenty of attacking chances for both teams.
Cronulla started much stronger after the half-time interval, and were quickly in for their second try of the match through Jamayne Isaako in the 45th minute.
The centre then crossed for another try in the 52nd minute after reacting better to a loose ball, and thanks to two conversion from Holmes, had given the hosts their first lead of the match — leading 18-16 with 27 minutes to play.
The visitors were soon back in the lead in the 57th minute, though, when Mason Farrell burrowed his way over the line close to the right touch line.
Woods’ unsuccessful conversion saw the score read 20-18.
Martin continued his strong game with a try for himself in the 64th minute, when his swift footwork close to the line proved too good for the defenders.
This time, Woods could add the extras to give Wests Tigers an important eight-point lead.
However, that lead would be short lived, as Jake Goodwin’s effort with just 12 minutes remaining drew the hosts closer once more.
Holmes’ successful conversion meant that the visitors’ lead was down to just two points heading into the final 10 minutes of play.
But that would be as close as they would come.
Farrell crossed for his second try in the 71st minute after beating two close to the line, before Watson Heleta put the icing on the cake with a try in the 77th minute.
Final: Wests Tigers 34 def. Cronulla Sharks 24
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