Wests Tigers’ NYC side have recorded a strong 34-22 win over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in their Round 4 match on Friday at ANZ Stadium.
Leading 22-0 at the break thanks to a double from Ivory Coast-born Obed Karwhin, Brett Kimmorley’s made no mistake in the second as they ran two more tries to bounce back from a last start defeat and keep pace with the competition’s top eight.
Winger Karwhin went close to scoring the opening points of the match on his Club debut after 10 minutes, but desperate defence from the Bulldogs forced him into touch.
Wests Tigers would soon cross, though, through opposite winger John Tohi, who capped off a wonderful right-edge move that involved a number of players. Eli Levido added the extras from the sideline after bouncing it in off the post for a 6-0 lead after 16 minutes.
After a strong break down the right hand side from Ryland Jacobs and Tohi, Karwhin eventually crossed for his maiden NYC try after 20 minutes, with Martin doing well to grab a pass thrown in front of him before hitting his winger with a great cut-out ball.
Levido had no problems converting and pushing Wests Tigers’ lead to 18-0.
Karwhin would grab his second try in spectacular fashion not long after — diving close to the sideline to plant Sione Alofi’s grubber down just inside in-goal. Levido was unable to add the extras, however, and the score remained 22-0 after 32 minutes, which is how it would read as both teams went to the half-time sheds at ANZ Stadium.
The Bulldogs started much stronger in the second half, and would reduce the margin to 22-10 after 54 minutes following tries to Josh Bergamin and Ethan Naboli.
However, front-rower JJ Felise would help restore Wests Tigers’ advantage with a powerful effort in the 64th minute next to the posts that gave Levido a simple conversion to push the lead to 28-10. Karwhin’s third try moments later following some sharp work by Martin and Watson Heleta would see Wests Tigers move back out to a 22-point lead, which Levido made 34 points with a great sideline conversion.
Tries to Siaopo Tagaloa and Harry Pondekas late in the piece would restore some credibility to the scoreline for Scott Murray’s men, but it would be all in vain.
Wests Tigers would hold on to record a 34-22 victory over the Bulldogs and move back into the winners circle ahead of next week’s big clash against the Parramatta Eels.
NYC FULL TIME — Wests Tigers 34 (Karwhin 3, Tohi, Liddle, Felise tries; Levido 5/6 goals) def. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 22 (Bergamin, Natoli, Tagaloa, Pondekas tries; Keighran 3/4 goals) at ANZ Stadium.
