Throwback Thursday: Tamworth edition

Scully Park hosted several midweek matches in the seventies, eighties and nineties before receiving its first taste of NRL action in 2018.

Ahead of this weekend’s clash against the Sharks, we’re partnering with Boomer Home Loans to revisit Wests Tigers’ first victory in Tamworth.

2019

After they were narrowly defeated by the Knights in 2018, Wests Tigers returned to Scully Park in the following year to face the Gold Coast Titans.

The visitors got away to a fast start, with Anthony Don rising above two defenders to claim a crossfield kick from Tyrone Roberts.

Current Wests Tigers utility Tyrone Peachey soon doubled the Titans’ advantage, courtesy of a no-look pass from Bryce Cartwright.

Down 14-0, the home side turned to Ryan Matterson to breathe life into their attack. The second-rower produced the goods, providing a magical offload for Mahe Fonua to score.

Robert Jennings further narrowed the gap by cleaning up the scraps from a Michael Gordon error, before Wests Tigers hit the front following a dynamic run from Esan Marsters.

In the second half, Wests Tigers continued their attacking momentum as Robert Jennings crashed over from dummy-half to complete his double.

Mahe Fonua matched Jennings’ efforts minutes later with his second try after an instinctive piece of play from Luke Brooks.

Trailing by twelve, the Titans had no shortage of opportunities to score and provide the Tamworth faithful with a grandstand finish.

However, the Wests Tigers defence held firm and the joint-venture finished the match with one final try as Luke Brooks again combined with Mahe Fonua.

The reigning Dally M Halfback of the Year placed a perfectly-weighted kick for the mulleted winger to secure his hat-trick, much to the delight of the home fans.