Wests Tigers suffered a 24-14 loss to the Warriors at Leichhardt Oval tonight in round 19 of the Telstra Premiership.
The match marked the last home game for departing centre Blake Ayshford and five-eighth Beji Marshall . Wests Tigers hooker and captain Robbie Farah and prop Aaron Woods backed up after Origin on Wednesday night.
Wests Tigers opened the scoring in the fourth minute when a cut out pass by five-eighth Benji Marshall found centre Tim Simona who sent winger David Nofoaluma over in the right corner. Marshall failed to convert the try for a 4-0 lead.
The home side continued to apply the pressure for the next 10 minutes and it paid off when half-back Curtis Sironen delivered a beautiful ball for centre Chris Lawrence to score for an 8-0 lead. Marshall failed to convert the try.
The Warriors opened their account when half-back Shaun Johnson backed up a break by Suaia Matagi to score behind the posts. Johnson converted his own try from in front to leave the visitors trailing 8-6 after 33 minutes.
Wests Tigers winger Tim Simona got his sides third with a piece of individual brilliance. After getting on the outside of his man, Simona raced down the left flank and put a kick through for Lawrence. Simonas lighting speed saw him beat the full-back for the ball to score himself. Marshall converted the try to give for a 14-12 lead to Wests Tigers at half-time.
2nd Half
The Warriors were awarded a try to Konrad Hurrell in the opening minute of the second half when he scored off a crossfield kick picked up by second-rower Simon Mannering. Johnson converted the try for a 14-12 scoreline.
Wests Tigers had a try denied to second-rower Liam Fulton a few minutes later after it was ruled he lost the ball in trying to cross the line.
The Warriors gained the lead in the 55th minute when a crossfield kick by Farah saw Lawrence spill the ball for Johnson to race 90 metres to score despite a gallant chase by fill-back James Tedesco. Johnson converted the try for an 18-14 scoreline.
Four minutes later, a grubber kick by Johnson saw Mannering score but was ruled no try after replays showed he failed to ground the ball cleanly.
Mannering was not to be denied in the 67th minute when Johnson supported a break up the middle to put a kick through for his captain to beat Lawrence in the race to the ball to score for a 22-14 lead. Johnson converted the try for a 24-14 scoreline.
Marshall and Ayshford walked off the field to a standing ovation from the Wests Tigers crowd.
The match marked the last home game for departing centre Blake Ayshford and five-eighth Beji Marshall . Wests Tigers hooker and captain Robbie Farah and prop Aaron Woods backed up after Origin on Wednesday night.
Wests Tigers opened the scoring in the fourth minute when a cut out pass by five-eighth Benji Marshall found centre Tim Simona who sent winger David Nofoaluma over in the right corner. Marshall failed to convert the try for a 4-0 lead.
The home side continued to apply the pressure for the next 10 minutes and it paid off when half-back Curtis Sironen delivered a beautiful ball for centre Chris Lawrence to score for an 8-0 lead. Marshall failed to convert the try.
The Warriors opened their account when half-back Shaun Johnson backed up a break by Suaia Matagi to score behind the posts. Johnson converted his own try from in front to leave the visitors trailing 8-6 after 33 minutes.
Wests Tigers winger Tim Simona got his sides third with a piece of individual brilliance. After getting on the outside of his man, Simona raced down the left flank and put a kick through for Lawrence. Simonas lighting speed saw him beat the full-back for the ball to score himself. Marshall converted the try to give for a 14-12 lead to Wests Tigers at half-time.
2nd Half
The Warriors were awarded a try to Konrad Hurrell in the opening minute of the second half when he scored off a crossfield kick picked up by second-rower Simon Mannering. Johnson converted the try for a 14-12 scoreline.
Wests Tigers had a try denied to second-rower Liam Fulton a few minutes later after it was ruled he lost the ball in trying to cross the line.
The Warriors gained the lead in the 55th minute when a crossfield kick by Farah saw Lawrence spill the ball for Johnson to race 90 metres to score despite a gallant chase by fill-back James Tedesco. Johnson converted the try for an 18-14 scoreline.
Four minutes later, a grubber kick by Johnson saw Mannering score but was ruled no try after replays showed he failed to ground the ball cleanly.
Mannering was not to be denied in the 67th minute when Johnson supported a break up the middle to put a kick through for his captain to beat Lawrence in the race to the ball to score for a 22-14 lead. Johnson converted the try for a 24-14 scoreline.
Marshall and Ayshford walked off the field to a standing ovation from the Wests Tigers crowd.
