Match Report: Round 19 vs Sharks

Tim Sheens' side fought back from an early deficit to level the scores at the break before the visitors laid on five unanswered tries in the second half.

After conceding 74 points in Townsville last week, Wests Tigers enjoyed a strong start in defence and only conceded one penalty goal in the first fifteen minutes.

Winger Sione Katoa eventually broke the defensive line, powering past three players on his way to the try-line before Siosifa Talakai doubled the visitors’ lead with a strong charge on the right edge.

After receiving a late call up to replace Daine Laurie at five-eighth, Will Smith marked his club debut with a try assist in the 27th minute.

The crafty utility skipped across the field and provided a silky cutout pass for Tommy Talau to score his first try of the season.

With the halftime siren looming, prop Alex Seyfarth then provided a well-disguised short ball for Shawn Blore to burst through the line and level the game.

Cronulla got away to a fast start in the second half with their trademark ‘slingshot’ play allowing Sione Katoa to complete his double.

Wests Tigers looked to have equalised when Tommy Talau rose above Nicho Hynes to catch a cross-field kick, but the centre was adjudged to have knocked on in the contest.

The Sharks made the hosts pay for their error as they marched downfield and scored their fourth try of the match through Jesse Ramien.

Back-to-back tries to Siosifa Talakai and Nicho Hynes sealed the victory for the visitors, before Sione Katoa completed his hat trick with a four-pointer on the stroke of full time.

Despite the loss, Tommy Talau enjoyed a strong return to the starting side and finished with one try and five tackle breaks.

Captain John Bateman again led the way in defence, making 49 tackles without missing one.

Wests Tigers will now prepare to travel to Newcastle for next Friday’s clash at McDonald Jones Stadium