Wests Tigers Intrust Super Premiership side have gone down to the second-placed New Zealand Warriors in wet and tough conditions today at Mount Smart Stadium.
Looking to end the season with a positive performance, David Heath's side battled hard and finished with the final two tries of the game, but were simply unable to match the home side.
Producing an error off a kick from Mason Lino, Wests Tigers found themselves down 6-0 in the opening set of the game, with Matt Allwood swooping up the loose ball for a simple try.
The home side's lead was doubled not long after when Zac Santo found space up the middle, with Lino converting for a 12-0 lead after as many minutes of play.
The Warriors continued to race the clock and extended their lead to 18-0 when Lino went himself in the 18th minute, before Allwood's second made it 22-0 after 28 minutes.
Toaf Sipley then proved too strong close to the line off a short ball from Sam Cook — giving the home side a commanding 28-0 lead as both teams hit the half-time sheds.
There was more of the same from the hosts to start the second half, with Santo and Bureta Faraimo combining to score down the sideline, before Cook continued his strong performance — breaking up the middle before finding Ofahiki Ogden for the try.
Lino's fifth conversion took the scoreline to 38-0 with still 30 minutes in the match remaining, and it looked like the Warriors were going to run away with the scoreline even more.
However, Wests Tigers refused to concede late points, and finally got on the scoreboard in the 58th minute as interchange back Christian Yassmin touched down in the corner.
Arguably his side's best this season, captain Nathan Milone ensured Wests Tigers finished with further respectaibility on the scoreboard — crossing for his 12th try of the year in the final play of the game, with Veiru Mapesone converting to end the match at 38-10.
New Zealand Warriors 38 (Allwood 2, Santo, Lino, Sipley, Faraimo, Ogden tries; Lino 5/7 goals) def. Wests Tigers 10 (Yassmin, Milone tries; Mapesone 1/2 goals)
FINAL TEAM | 1. Watson Heleta 2. Ryland Jacobs 3. Nathan Milone 4. Ash Nisbet 5. Luke Garner 6. Jeremy Marshall-King 7. Blake Goodman 8. JJ Felise 9. Jack Wheelhouse 15. Wesley Lolo 11. Junior Tatola 12. Jerry Key 13. Jordan Grant (Interchange: 14. Darcy Cox 16. Veiru Mapesone 17. Jackson Williams 19. Christian Yassmin) — Coach: David Heath
Be there for our final home game of season 2017 and help farewell our departing players!
