Wests Tigers Intrust Super Premiership have recorded a superb upset win over the New Zealand Warriors in their Round 17 clash today at Mount Smart Stadium.
With the game in the balance as Wests Tigers looked to hold onto the two point lead in the dying stages, a desperation tackle on their own line from Jeremy Marshall-King and Michael Chee Kam late in the game ensured the visitors would go home with victory.
Paul Stringer’s men were boosted pre-game by the return of City Origin representative forward Curtis Sironen from a foot injury while new recruit Manaia Ruldolph made his first appearance for the Club after returning from the Sea Eagles during the week.
Both sides were given early chances in the opening ten minutes but could not capitalise on their field position. The visitors were handed back-to-back penalties and turned attack into points when Joel Edwards laid a nice short ball for Wesley Lolo to go over under the posts for his first try of the season. Veiru Mapesone converted for a 6-0 lead after 14 minutes.
The Warriors were quick to respond, scoring two tries in five minutes to take a 10-6 lead.
An unfortunate bounce off a Mason Lino kick for Josh Addo-Carr landed in the hands of Warriors winger Tomas Aoake, who got first points on the board for the home side. Two minutes later and Lino again placed a perfect grubber for Jonathan Wright to go over untouched.
Wests Tigers levelled the game up in the 30th minute when Josh Addo-Carr picked up a Warriors error before splitting two defenders and racing 40 metres to score.
Mapesone missed the conversion from out wide, and scores were locked up at 10-10.
Warriors centre Jonathan Wright was placed on report for a lifting tackle on Chee Kam just before half time with Mapesone nailing theapenalty goal from near halfway to ensure Wests Tigers took a suprising but deserved 12-10 lead into the half-time sheds..
The Warriors made a strong start to the second half with late inclusion Erin Clarke beating three Wests Tigers defenders to reach out and score next to the posts.
Lino’s conversion had the Warriors back to a four-point lead after 50 minutes.
Wests Tigers regained the lead shortly after when Chee Kam provided a late offload for Jeremy Marshall-King to split the Warriors up the middle before the in-form playmaker found winger Addo-Carr in support for his second of the day next to the posts.
Ruldolph converted from in front gave the visitors an 18-16 lead after 60 minutes.
Both sides would have chances to post points late in the piece, but some strong defence from Wests Tigers ensured they would hold on for their ninth win of the season.
ISP FULL TIME — Wests Tigers 18 (Addo-Carr 2, Lolo tries; Mapesone 2/3, Ruldolph 1/1 goal) def. New Zealand Warriors 16 (Aoake, Wright, Clarke tries; Lino 2/3 goals)
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