Wests Tigers have kept their finals hopes alive in the Jersey Flegg Cup, producing a strong second-half surge to defeat the second-placed Canberra Raiders 25-14 in sodden conditions at Lidcombe Oval.
Match: Wests Tigers v Raiders
Round 22 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
7th Position
away Team
Raiders
3rd Position
Venue: Lidcombe Oval, Sydney
The Raiders struck first in the slippery opening exchanges, with Sylas Simon pouncing on a loose ball off a cross-field kick in the 5th minute, before speedster Mutua Brown sliced through moments later to give the visitors a 10-0 lead.
Despite limited early possession, the Tigers hit back midway through the half when Logan Brookes powered over from close range. Harry Delaney then juggled his way to a try in the 32nd minute, locking scores at 10-all heading into the break.
After the interval, the Tigers found another gear. Captain Brenden Naicori crossed in the corner to give the home side the lead for the first time, before Tino Tavana produced an acrobatic finish off a brilliant long ball from Max Liles to extend the advantage to 18-10.
The Raiders threatened a comeback when the Tuialii brothers combined for a spectacular corner try with 13 minutes left, but the Tigers had the final say. A sweeping movement capped by Tavana linking inside with Max Taotua sealed the contest, before Liles calmly slotted a late field goal to put an exclamation mark on the 25-14 win.
The result means the Tigers remain in seventh on the ladder and keeps their Top 5 hopes alive, while the Raiders slip to third and will rue a missed opportunity in challenging conditions.
Wests Tigers 25 (Brookes, Delaney, Naicori, Tavana, Ma. Taotua tries; Tavana 2/5 goals; Liles 1-point field goal) defeated Raiders 14 (Simon, Brown, L. Tuialii tries; Darmody 1/3 goals) at Lidcombe Oval.
