Wests Tigers Holden Cup side have pulled off a dominating 36-12 upset win against the more fancied North Queensland Cowboys side at Leichhardt Oval.
The home side found themselves in seventh spot heading into the fixture after a narrow defeat to the Eels last week, while the North Queensland side were in a more comfortable position of second leading into the game.
An early penalty goal from Roman Ioelu gifted Wests Tigers an early two-point lead, although the visitors were quick to hit back with a try in the corner to late inclusion Nathan Traill.
Jacob Bourke converted from the sideline for a 6-2 advantage after 15 minutes of play.
Wests Tigers were quick to respond in the 27th minute and when Taniela Paseka charged across the line, beating three defenders in his wake to score next to the posts.
Ioelu made no mistakes with the conversion as Wests Tigers regained the lead at 8-6.
A strong carry from Tahanui Tutavake was well handled by the home side, who miraculously managed to hold the lock forward up and force the changeover.
The strong defence was later rewarded with possession when Jacob Liddle broke through up the middle to get the ball deep into Cowboys territory.
Daniel Roberts would spread the ball wide to an unmarked Obed Karwhin the following play for the winger to score his twelfth four-pointer of the season.
Ioelu missed the conversion from the sideline, however Wests Tigers enjoyed a 12-6 advantage at the break.
The home side were quick to extend the lead after the break with Veiru Mapesone slicing through from the scrum feed to cross the line out wide.
Ioelu converted to extend Wests Tigers’ lead 18-6.
A strong kick return from Obed Karwhin put the home side back into the Cowboys half and the lead was extended when Ray Stone showed determination and skill to beat four defenders and cross beside the posts.
Ioelu’s conversion put Wests Tigers in a comfortable position at 24-6 with over 25 minutes to play.
Two penalty goal attempts from Ioelu failed to add to the scoreboard as the clock winded down.
A try to Daniel Peck in the 70th minute from dummy half extended the lead and
Wests Tigers were over again five minutes later through Siaosi Nasilai when he was on the end of some stunning lead up play by Mapesone and Roberts.
North Queensland scored a consolation try through Darryn Schonig on the full time siren, however the match belonged to the home side who ran out convincing winners.
Wests Tigers 36 (Stone, Paseka, Mapesone, Karwhin, Peck, Nasilai tries; Ioelu 4/6, Mapesone 2/2 goals) def. North Queensland Cowboys 12 (Traill, Schonig tries; Bourke 2/2 goals)
