Wests Tigers Intrust Super Premiership side have recorded their first win of the 2017 season with a stunning upset win over the North Sydney Bears today.
Coming into the match winless and up against the undefeated Bears at Chatswood Oval, it was an inspired second-half performance from the visitors that saw them come from 16-6 down in the last 15 minutes to record a stunning 18-16 victory.
Wests Tigers opened the scoring after 15 minutes, with young gun hooker Jacob Liddle setting up Justin Hunt to score, with Jordan Rankin converting to give the visitors a 6-0 lead.
North Sydney halfback Eli Levido hit back for the Bears shortly after, however, and backed up his own outstanding try with a conversion to level the score heading into half time.
Eager to continue their unbeaten start to the 2017 Intrust Super Premiership season, North Sydney came firing in the second half with back to back tries to Abbas Miski and Levido.
Levido's conversion gave the Bears a commanding 16-6 lead with 15 minutes remaining — seemingly guaranteeing the home side a fifth straight win for the year.
However, Wests Tigers continued to battle back with time not on their side, and quickly hit back through Hunt once more after a superb banana kick from Rankin.
Rankin's conversion reduced the Bears' advantage to 16-12, before Joel Edwards sensationally put the visitors in front with a determined effort just seven minutes from full-time.
Rankin made no mistake with the conversion to keep his perfect afternoon with the boot in tact, and ensure Wests Tigers their first win of the 2017 Intrust Super Premiership season.
FULL TIME — Wests Tigers 18 (Hunt 2, Edwards, Rankin 3/3 goals) def. North Sydney Bears 16 (Levido 2, Miski, Levido 2/3 goals) at Chatswood Oval
Wests Tigers Round 5 ISP Team — 1. Watson Heleta 2. Luke Garner 3. Nathan Milone 4. Esan Marsters 5. Ryland Jacobs 6. Justin Hunt 7. Jordan Rankin 8. JJ Felise 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Junior Tatola 11. Bayley Sironen 12. Joel Edwards 13. Matt Eisenhuth 14. Jeremy Marshall-King 15. Jordan Grant 16. Welsey Lolo 17. Darcy Cox — Coach: David Heath
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