Wests Tigers have been bundled out of the NYC finals series after a 36-16 defeat by minor premiers Canberra Raiders.
Halfback Luke Brooks came up with the first big play of the match, a superb forty-twenty giving Wests Tigers a great attacking opportunity, but they couldn't capitalise.
It was Canberra who got on the scoresheet first, right centre Brenko Lee powering over out wide in the 8th minute after some good Raiders lead up work in the middle of the park.
Mitch Cornish wasn't able to convert, leaving the score at 4-0 with ten minutes gone in the first half.
Wests Tigers looked like they had gotten on the board when fullback Curtis Rowe perfectly pounced on a Matt Mulcahy grubber.
Despite the referee indicating a try when he sent the try to the video referee, Paul Mellor overruled the on field official, suggesting Manaia Cherrington was offside inside the ten metre exclusion zone. The decision prompted an outbreak of laughter in the Canberra Raiders box.
Right winger Jonathon Reuben extended the Raiders' lead in the 21st minute, having a clear run to the line after Salesi Funaki dropped the ball in the tackle after claiming a high kick.
Cornish missed again from the sideline, the score remaining 8-0.
Luke Brooks went down hurt midway through the first half, and lasted just a few minutes long before limping into the sheds with an injured ankle.
Wests Tigers had a number of chances to attack the Raiders' line, but lacked composure without their halfback.
Canberra were on the scoreboard again in the 33rd minute, Jeremy Hawkins cutting back off his left foot to score under the posts, passing some fairly brittle defence.
Cornish slotted his first goal for the afternoon, giving the Raiders a 14-0 lead.
Canberra were in again just minutes later when second rower Patrick Mago headed back towards the posts from the right side to power over, capitalising on a repeat set.
Cornish unbelievably missed from almost in front of the posts to see Canberra lead 18-0 heading into the break.
The second half began poorly for Wests Tigers, a superb Raiders kick chase trapping Kurtis Rowe in goal.
Ricky Garard kicked from dummy half and pounced to touch down in the 43rd minute, giving Cornish the chance to convert from under the posts.
He made no mistake this time, pushing the score out to 24-0 in Canberra's favour.
The Raiders looked to have pushed the game beyond reach when replacement Mitchell Barnett took a pass from Ricky Garard to fly by the fullback in the 48th minute.
Cornish converted from under the posts and the score moved to 30-0 in Canberra's favour.
Barnett was into space again in the 54th minute, making no mistake as he put flying front rower Dennis Tomarchio past Rowe to score under the posts.
Cornish couldn't miss from under the posts, Wests Tigers beginning to look off the pace as the score moved out to 36-0.
Wests Tigers didn't throw the towel in though, making the most of repeat sets through Brenden Santi who barged over on the right in the 64th minute.
Manaia Rudolph hit the post from out wide to leave the score at 36-6.
Wests Tigers got back on the attack immediately from the kick off, spreading the ball, with Kurtis Rowe eating up the metres.
A spread later in the set saw winger Delouise Hoeter burn down the left touchline, before chipping inside for Cherrington to score easily under the posts.
Cherrington converted his own try to make the score 36-10 with just over 10 minutes remaining.
Wests Tigers showed good heart to keep fighting, a Luke Brooks strip inside the Raiders half earned possession.
Brooks then grubbered for Andrew Kazzi to score on the right of the posts in the 71st minute and it seemed only time would stop Wests Tigers as they began rolling.
Rudolph converted and it was 36-16.
Wests Tigers were at it again from the kick off, Brenden Santi busting straight through the middle of the Raiders. The second rower positioned Brooks perfectly and it looked like he would score, but knocked on over the line under a last-ditch Raiders tackle.
That would be it for the scoring, Canberra running out 36-16 winners over a gallant Wests Tigers.
Halfback Luke Brooks came up with the first big play of the match, a superb forty-twenty giving Wests Tigers a great attacking opportunity, but they couldn't capitalise.
It was Canberra who got on the scoresheet first, right centre Brenko Lee powering over out wide in the 8th minute after some good Raiders lead up work in the middle of the park.
Mitch Cornish wasn't able to convert, leaving the score at 4-0 with ten minutes gone in the first half.
Wests Tigers looked like they had gotten on the board when fullback Curtis Rowe perfectly pounced on a Matt Mulcahy grubber.
Despite the referee indicating a try when he sent the try to the video referee, Paul Mellor overruled the on field official, suggesting Manaia Cherrington was offside inside the ten metre exclusion zone. The decision prompted an outbreak of laughter in the Canberra Raiders box.
Right winger Jonathon Reuben extended the Raiders' lead in the 21st minute, having a clear run to the line after Salesi Funaki dropped the ball in the tackle after claiming a high kick.
Cornish missed again from the sideline, the score remaining 8-0.
Luke Brooks went down hurt midway through the first half, and lasted just a few minutes long before limping into the sheds with an injured ankle.
Wests Tigers had a number of chances to attack the Raiders' line, but lacked composure without their halfback.
Canberra were on the scoreboard again in the 33rd minute, Jeremy Hawkins cutting back off his left foot to score under the posts, passing some fairly brittle defence.
Cornish slotted his first goal for the afternoon, giving the Raiders a 14-0 lead.
Canberra were in again just minutes later when second rower Patrick Mago headed back towards the posts from the right side to power over, capitalising on a repeat set.
Cornish unbelievably missed from almost in front of the posts to see Canberra lead 18-0 heading into the break.
The second half began poorly for Wests Tigers, a superb Raiders kick chase trapping Kurtis Rowe in goal.
Ricky Garard kicked from dummy half and pounced to touch down in the 43rd minute, giving Cornish the chance to convert from under the posts.
He made no mistake this time, pushing the score out to 24-0 in Canberra's favour.
The Raiders looked to have pushed the game beyond reach when replacement Mitchell Barnett took a pass from Ricky Garard to fly by the fullback in the 48th minute.
Cornish converted from under the posts and the score moved to 30-0 in Canberra's favour.
Barnett was into space again in the 54th minute, making no mistake as he put flying front rower Dennis Tomarchio past Rowe to score under the posts.
Cornish couldn't miss from under the posts, Wests Tigers beginning to look off the pace as the score moved out to 36-0.
Wests Tigers didn't throw the towel in though, making the most of repeat sets through Brenden Santi who barged over on the right in the 64th minute.
Manaia Rudolph hit the post from out wide to leave the score at 36-6.
Wests Tigers got back on the attack immediately from the kick off, spreading the ball, with Kurtis Rowe eating up the metres.
A spread later in the set saw winger Delouise Hoeter burn down the left touchline, before chipping inside for Cherrington to score easily under the posts.
Cherrington converted his own try to make the score 36-10 with just over 10 minutes remaining.
Wests Tigers showed good heart to keep fighting, a Luke Brooks strip inside the Raiders half earned possession.
Brooks then grubbered for Andrew Kazzi to score on the right of the posts in the 71st minute and it seemed only time would stop Wests Tigers as they began rolling.
Rudolph converted and it was 36-16.
Wests Tigers were at it again from the kick off, Brenden Santi busting straight through the middle of the Raiders. The second rower positioned Brooks perfectly and it looked like he would score, but knocked on over the line under a last-ditch Raiders tackle.
That would be it for the scoring, Canberra running out 36-16 winners over a gallant Wests Tigers.
