Campbelltown Stadium should be rocking this afternoon as the Wests Tigers host the North Queensland Cowboys in what should be an enthralling affair between two teams in great form. Join us for live scores and commentary from 3.00pm AEST.
After a horrendous start to season 2012, the Tigers have won their past four matches and now face a litmus test today against a Cowboys side currently entrenched inside the top four.
The Tigers produced their best performance of the season last week against the Warriors, coming back from 10-nil down to win 24-22 at Leichhardt Oval.
North Queensland on the other hand managed to fork out a tight 30-28 victory against the Panthers last week, despite missing four players due to State of Origin duty.
The battle between superstar halves Benji Marshall and Johnathon Thurston should be the highlight this afternoon with both players in great form at the moment.
Marshall is coming off a good performance against the Warriors while Thurston will be full of confidence after guiding Queensland to victory against New South Wales on Wednesday night.
Prediction
Despite attaining four consecutive victories, the Tigers continue to struggle upfront, and they could be in for a torrid afternoon against a Cowboys pack featuring some in-form forwards.
Matthew Scott, James Tamou, Dallas Johnson and Jason Taumalolo are all making strong yardage this season and will once again fancy their chances of dominating a Tigers pack that can struggle to make territory.
Tigers forward Aaron Woods and Keith Galloway will have to produce their best performances of the season to date if the Tigers are a chance of matching North Queensland’s pack.
Whichever team wins the forward battle will go a long way to winning this contest.
If the Tigers struggle to contain the Cowboys mobile forwards, North Queensland trio Thurston, Matthew Bowen and Aaron Payne will wreck havoc today.
The Tigers will have to pay particular attention to Thurston’s combination with Ashley Graham.
Graham is the NRL’s leading try scorer with 12 four pointers and his combination with Thurston has seen the former Eels centre transform himself into one of the game’s best finishers.
The Cowboys meanwhile will also have to keep tabs on Tigers captain Robbie Farah.
The Blues hooker had a solid game on Wednesday night and is the man responsible for igniting the Tigers attack up the middle.
If Farah is allowed to turn the big Cowboys defenders inside out, the Tigers will dominate proceedings and Marshall will come into his own.
With both teams in great form, home ground advantage has special significance in a match like this. On the back of a loud Campbelltown crowd, the Tigers may just have the inspiration necessary to hold out the Cowboys in a high scoring and entertaining contest.
Tigers by 4.
Alan
Roar Guru
No worries db swannie.
Alan
Roar Guru
The Tigers are alive and kicking in season 2012 as they secure their fifth consecutive win today against the Cowboys. In a great contest, both teams came to life in attack today with the highlight of the match arguably being Tamou's chase when Marshall made a break. Tamou managed to track Marshall down and the contest continued to go back and forth from there. The Cowboys had their chances to hit the lead late in the second half but the Tigers held on well and it was Marshall in the end who was the matchwinner for the Tigers in the second half, scoring a try and then laying one on for Moltzen with a deft short pass. The Tigers have hit form and will be tough to beat. The Cowboys however played well themselves but fell just short. Thanks for joining us this afternoon and we look forward to your company for Monday night football on The Roar. FULLTIME: Tigers 26 Cowboys 18
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Tigers 26 Cowboys 18
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Thurston with a short kickoff but it hasn't gone the ten metres. Tigers have possession and will wind down the clock.... Tigers 26 Cowboys 18
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Marshall converts and its now 26-18 Tigers. Tigers now have the momentum they need to make a run for the top four... Great pass from Marshall earlier to find Moltzen. Tigers 26 Cowboys 18
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY TIGERS - Moltzen scores for the Tigers as he beats several defenders and wins the game for the Tigers. Their fifth win of the season in a row! Tigers 24 Cowboys 18
Alan
Roar Guru
75' - Thompson throws a pass and Lawrence intercepts the football and the Tigers get a penalty soon after. Massive call and the Tigers have one hand on the two competition points here. Tigers 20 Cowboys 18
Alan
Roar Guru
74' - Tigers with a good set here as they reach Cowboys territory. Marshall with a kick and it rebounds off Thurston and Ryan puts in a second kick and the Cowboys regain possession. Tigers 20 Cowboys 18
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - Cowboys getting desperate now in attack as Thurston puts up a bomb and Tuqiri regathers the football well. Tigers did well there but the Cowboys are trying to muscle up in defence. Tigers 20 Cowboys 18
Alan
Roar Guru
NO TRY TIGERS - Knock on from Farah here and the Cowboys do very well to survive over the last few minutes. Bowen denied Heighington earlier on and that play could come back to haunt the Tigers late in the contest. Great defence from the Cowboys. Tigers 20 Cowboys 18
Alan
Roar Guru
VIDEO REFEREE - Six to go for the Tigers yet again and the Cowboys are out on their feet but holding on in defence. Farah from dummy-half and he looks to have scored. Checking for knock on. Tigers 20 Cowboys 18
Alan
Roar Guru
71' - Utai puts in a grubber kick and the Tigers will get the line drop-out. Great play from Utai and the Tigers remain well on the attack. Tigers 20 Cowboys 18
Alan
Roar Guru
71' - Heighington goes so close to scoring but Bowen produces a trysaver. What a tackle from Bowen! Tigers 20 Cowboys 18
Alan
Roar Guru
70' - Tigers will get six again here as Farah darts out of dummy-half and finds Sironen. Tigers now right on the attack and a try here should win them the contest. Tigers 20 Cowboys 18
Alan
Roar Guru
Yes I mean't Utai Patrdon... thanks for the correction.
Alan
Roar Guru
69' - Cowboys lose possession and that's the Cowboys first error in this second half. Lost opportunity though as Thompson produces a bad pass. Tigers survive. Tigers 20 Cowboys 18
Alan
Roar Guru
68' - Cowboys win a big penalty here as the Tigers are penalised for offside. Cowboys will go on the attack and have a chance to hit the lead. Tigers 20 Cowboys 18
Alan
Roar Guru
67' - This game is firmly in the balance heading into the last ten minutes. Bowen now returns the football for the Cowboys as we approach the championship rounds. Tigers 20 Cowboys 18
Alan
Roar Guru
66' - Cowboys have regained some momentum here on the back of Tamou's strong charges. Cowboys over the halfway here as Thurston puts up a bomb and Moltzen does well to defuse it. Tigers 20 Cowboys 18
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Thurston converts and its 20-18 Tigers. What a cracking finish coming up! Tigers 20 Cowboys 18