Wests Tigers suffer tough loss to the Warriors
Wests Tigers have blown a 10-0 half-time lead to suffer an 18-16 loss to the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium.
The away side scored three tries in the final 40 minutes to inflict Michael Maguire’s men with their fifth loss in six weeks.
The disappointing result was compounded with fullback Daine Laurie suffering a suspected fractured tibia, while rookie forward Kelma Tuilagi was unable to taste victory on debut.
Down by two points with eight minutes remaining, Wests Tigers thought they had snatched the lead when Luke Brooks ran 90 metres to plan the ball down, however the Bunker intervened when they spotted a knock on from the stand-in captain.
It was a devastating start for Wests Tigers with in-form fullback Laurie coming from the field with a suspected fractured tibia after just one minute.
Mbye hits and spins his way to a try
The Warriors had the first chance to trouble the scorers when Sean O’Sullivan placed a delicate grubber kick towards debutant Viliami Vailea but the youngster was unable to ground the ball in the in-goal.
After a mountain of possession, Wests Tigers finally cracked the Warriors in the 19th minute when Adam Doueihi linked with Moses Mbye, who passed the final ball to David Nofoaluma to score.
Maguire’s men scored their second try of the night when Mbye took the line on — hitting and spinning for four points and a 10-0 lead.
The Warriors were first to score after the break with new captain Peta Hiku putting Euan Aitken through a hole — reducing the deficit to four points.
Wests Tigers turn pressure into points through Nofoaluma
The visitors had their first lead of the evening when Bunty Afoa barged his way over the line for a 12-10 advantage, before Aitken had his second of the night to extend the lead to eight.
Wests Tigers hit back when Doueihi took on the line to score his ninth try of the season — and he landed the conversion to reduce the margin to two with 19 minutes remaining.
The Warriors held on for a two-point win after Wests Tigers missed two shots at two-point field goals.
Warriors (Aitken 2, Afoa tries; Walsh 3/3 goals) def. Wests Tigers (Nofoaluma, Mbye, Doueihi tries; Doueihi 2/3 goals) at Suncorp Stadium.
