Wests Tigers’ NYC side have fought on bravely but gone down 38-28 to the Sydney Roosters in their Round 9 clash on Friday night at Allianz Stadium.
The match started in ideal fashion for the visitors who, off the back of a penalty, posted the opening points of the match after just two minutes when Junior Kiwi international Te Maire Martin came up with a good flat ball for Marsters to score.
Matthew Woods had no problems with the conversion and gave Wests Tigers a 6-0 lead.
Some good work around the ruck from Jacob Liddle and Martin looked promising shortly after; however, that would quickly come undone as a cut-out from Martin was picked off by Joseph Manu, who raced 60m to score the intercept try.
Joey Lussick added the extras to lock the scores at 6-6 after 11 minutes.
Wests Tigers hit straight back, though, with a good short ball close to the line from Woods finding Tyler Cassel, who burst through a tackle to score.
Woods’ conversion gave Kimmorley’s side a 12-6 lead after 16 minutes.
A try to Johnny Tuivasa-Sheck reduced the margin to 12-10 after 21 minutes, but Wests Tigers threatened to hit back moments later when the ball was shifted wide to Watson Heleta, who unfortunately slipped over with the try-line seemingly at his mercy.
That would prove costly in more ways than one for the visitors, who not only missed the chance to score, but also lost Heleta to an injury for the rest of the match.
After a mountain of possession, the Roosters would eventually cross through Charlie Taylor in the 34th minute, with Lussick’s missed conversion leaving the score at 14-12 — which is how it would read as both teams went to the sheds at Allianz Stadium.
The home side would extend their lead even further after the break with tries to Grant Garvey and Connor Watson in the opening 10 minutes of the second half — giving them a commanding 26-12 lead over Kimmorley’s side with half an hour to play.
However, Wests Tigers would rally back, with Marsters — moving to the centres to cover for Heleta — grabbing his second try and reducing the margin to 26-16.
Some good scrambling defence from Wests Tigers kept them in the game, and despite having John Tohi sent to the sin-bin in the 63rd minute, sensationally took the lead following tries to Cassel and Martin — leading 28-26 with 10 minutes to play.
It wouldn’t quite be enough, though, with tries to Manu and Watson inside the final five minutes guaranteeing a win for the Roosters, who held on for a 38-28 victory.
Wests Tigers will look to bounce back in the winners circle when they take on 2014 minor premiers, Newcastle Knights, next Sunday, May 17 at Hunter Stadium.
NYC FULL TIME — Sydney Roosters 38 (Manu 2, Watson 2, Tuivasa-Sheck, Taylor, Garvey tries) def. Wests Tigers 28 (Marsters 2, Cassel 2, Martin tries; Woods 4/5 goals)
