Wests Tigers make it back to back wins beating the Rabbitohs 14-9 at Bankwest Stadium.
MATCH DETAILS
The Rabbitohs ventured out west to Bankwest Stadium to take on the Wests Tigers attempting to break a three game losing streak.
Unfortunately the game will be known for George Burgess’ eye gauge on former teammate Robbie Farah in the sixth minute. Burgess could have played his last game for the Rabbitohs as he is looking at a 8-12 week suspension when he fronts the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night.
The penalty allowed Esan Marsters to put points on the board as the home side took a 2-0 lead after seven minutes.
An arm wrestle ensued with the Tigers having the bulk of possession and territory though were unable to convert their opportunities through mistakes and some brilliant Rabbitohs defence.
In the 20th minute, Souths were parked on the Tigers line as Adam Reynolds kicking game allowed the territory battle to swing in the visitors favour.
Tigers’ Benji Marshall was penalised for a ruck indiscretion, which Reynolds took the opportunity to level the scores at 2-2.
Cody Walker and John Sutton’s combination began to pick up where it left off before the Origin period started as Sutton put through Braidon Burns through a hole to set up Corey Allan’s third try of the season to put the Rabbitohs up by a converted try with 10 minutes left in the first half.
Tigers fullback Corey Thompson proved a handful all night and hit the scoreboard after beating two Souths defenders to ground the ball adjacent to the posts.
The half time score saw scores level at 8 all.
The second half saw a sloppy brand of football as both sides were guilty of mistakes, which saw the game stagnate in the first 20 minutes of the second half.
Souths had to make 64 more tackles than the Tigers and it showed in the latter stages of the game through Chee-Kam’s match winning try.
With the scores still level, Souths halfback and field goal specialist Adam Reynolds calmly slotted a one pointer to put his side ahead by one with six minutes remaining.
You would have thought Souths had the game won. You would have been wrong. Tigers forward Michael Chee-Kam beat countless tired Souths players to break the defensive line and then made Allan look silly as he stepped and sped away to score a memorable try.
Marsters converted to make the score 14-9, which was what it stayed as the Tigers took the two competition points home with a gritty victory.
FOUR POINTERS
GEORGE BURGESS BRAINFADE
Burgess’ act was uncalled for and a bad look for the game and he should be suspended for a lengthy period of time. Burgess has had some history with eye gauging as he was suspended for four games last November when representing England against New Zealand, which saw him suspended for four games.
BYE CAN’T COME SOON ENOUGH FOR THE BUNNIES
After sitting pretty at the top of the ladder with 10 wins and one loss the Bunnies have now lost four straight games and could drop to fourth with a Roosters and Raiders winning. They have the bye next week, which comes at the perfect time as many of their starts are banged up and they should get Johnston and captain Sam Burgess back in two weeks.
CHEE-KAM BRILLIANCE
The play looked dead and buried though Chee-Kam had other ideas as he broke the line and sprinted half the field to score probably the best try of his career. After coming across from Manly a few years ago, Chee-Kam is excelling this year at the Tigers and his hard work was rewarded with a spectacular 10 seconds of play last night.
MADGE GETS FIRST WIN OVER HIS OLD SIDE
Tigers coach Michael Maguire would have had a little smirk on his face when the full time whistle was blown after beating his old side for the first time. After losing to the Bunnies earlier this year, the Tigers had learnt from their past mistakes and bettered that performance with a gritty victory.
THE RESULT
WESTS TIGERS 14
Tries: Corey Thompson, Michael Chee-Kam
Goals: Esan Marsters 2/2
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS 9
Tries: Corey Allan
Goals: Adam Reynolds 2/2
Drop Goals: Adam Reynolds 1/1
SQUADS
WESTS TIGERS: 1. Corey Thompson 2. Robert Jennings 3. Moses Mbye 4. Esan Marsters 5. David Nofoaluma 6. Benji Marshall 7. Luke Brooks 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Robbie Farah 10. Alex Twal 11. Ryan Matterson 12. Chris Lawrence 13. Matt Eisenhuth 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Elijah Taylor 17. Michael Chee-Kam
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS: 18. Corey Allen 2. Dane Gagai 3. James Roberts 4. Braidon Burns 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. George Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. Liam Knight 11. John Sutton 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Cameron Murray 14. Tevita Tatola 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Dean Britt 17. Kyle Turner
