Wests Tigers have recorded their fifth win of the NSW Cup season with a convincing 40-6 win over Canterbury Bulldogs today at Belmore Sports Ground.
Early mistakes from the Bulldogs had the Wests Tigers handed plenty of opportunities however the side could not capitalise in what was an error-riddled opening to the game.
Front rower Ben Murdoch-Masila finally opened the scoring for the visitors — scooping up a Bulldogs error to go over untouched in the 14th minute.
Halfback Jack Madden converted the try for a 6-0 lead.
It was another Wests Tigers’ forward who posted the next points with Cory Paterson barging his way through on the left edge. Madden couldn’t add the extras from out wide, however the Wests Tigers held a 10-0 lead after 26 minutes.
It was quick back-to-back tries as halfback Nathan Waters put in a perfectly weighted grubber for Taqele Naiyaravoro to dive on in the left corner.
Madden wasn’t able to add the extra points with a tough conversion from the sideline missed, however the Wests Tigers held a 14-0 lead after 33 minutes.
Madden sent it through the hands moments later down the right edge with Marika Koroibete making it look easy grounding it in the corner. The halfback had another tough kick from touch, missing the goal, as the score remained 18-0 after 37 minutes.
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Jy Hitchcox made an immediate impact soon after half time, breaking though the line and sending fullback Daniel Abou-Sleiman over for a try against his former Club.
Paterson took over kicking duties and extended the lead to 24-0 after 45 minutes.
The Bulldogs finally put points on the board through Lindon McGrady after a flurry of passes eventually resulted in the four-pointer. Patrick Templeman converted from the sideline to reduce the deficit to 24-6 after 52 minutes.
A quick play-the-ball from Naiyaravoro off the back of a line break resulted in Waters darting out from dummy-half and finding an open Murdoch-Masila who crossed for his second try. Paterson added the extras for 30-6 lead after 63 minutes.
With five minutes remaining, Wests Tigers forced a repeat set and Jy Hitchcox took the short drop-out on the full and went over within centimetres of the corner post. Paterson was unable to convert, resulting in a 34-6 lead with little time remaining in the match.
A slick backline move from the Wests Tigers found Fijian-flyer Koroibete who did well to beat his outside man and race away for his second of the day. Paterson converted from in front of the sticks with the final score of 40-6 over the Bulldogs.
Wests Tigers' NSW Cup squad have a bye in Round 8 of the competition before facing Mounties RLFC at Aubrey Keech Reserve on Saturday, May 8, 2014.
Wests Tigers 40 (Murdoch-Masila 2, Koroibete 2, Paterson, Naiyaravoro, Abou-Sleiman Hitchcox tries; Madden, Paterson 3 goals) def. Bulldogs 6 (McGrady try; Templeman goal)
