Wests Tigers remain in the finals hunt but arguably not much of a threat after a lacklustre 24-16 NRL win over North Queensland in Townsville.
Securing back-to-back wins for just the second time this season, the Tigers ground out a vital win and consigned the Cowboys to their ninth straight loss.
Adam Doueihi was instrumental in attack and perfect off the tee, kicking four from four on the night.
He finished with one try assist and five tackle busts, while halves partner Luke Brooks was a calming presence in the final third and had two try assists of his own.
Second-half tries to Kelma Tuilagi and Tommy Talau and to a Tigers double in the first half in a match where the Cowboys failed to execute despite dominating territory.
The home side’s fifth tackle options had fans bringing their face masks above their eyes, as they were unable to force a set restart despite 24 tackles within their opposition’s 20-metre line.
Late consolation tries to Tom Dearden and Ben Hampton in the final ten minutes brought a glimmer of hope to the crowd of 12,663, but it was all too late as the Tigers held on to stay within two points of the top eight.
The opening half was an error-strewn display, and it was the Tigers who took a 12-6 lead into the sheds with neither team properly capitalising on deep attacking opportunities.
Handling errors in the final third cost both sides as their errors totalled 15 between them.
The visitors made the most of two penalties awarded in their own half, scoring back-to-back through Stefano Utoikamanu and Ken Maumalo in the seventh and 19th minutes.
Their first was a bulldozing run by the prop who powered through the Cowboys goal-line defence, before a set-play to their left edge found Maumalo diving out wide to score on the wing.
Michael Maguire’s side looked set to keep the Cowboys scoreless heading into halftime but then the Cowboys scored one of the most bizarre tries of 2021.
Tom Dearden skewed a bomb 40 metres out, the ball bouncing fortuitously to Kyle Feldt who then toed a kick to centre field where Reece Robson gathered and offloaded to debutant Griffin Neame, who passed to fellow debutant Jeremiah Nanai to score.
But that would be their only try until the 73rd minute and the Tigers held on to see out the result.
The Mexican
Roar Rookie
Hahahaha, well said
The Mexican
Roar Rookie
Probably Scott Morrison has crunched the numbers for them and thinks he can get them over with his BS talk :happy: :stoked: :silly: :laughing:
Clam
Guest
More like Biden...making up stories but reality is no finals
Tom G
Roar Rookie
They have a Stephen Bradbury chance I suppose
Paul
Roar Guru
Dare to dream. Good onya for maintaining the hope.
Rob
Guest
The young Cowboys definitely tried hard but the last play kicking is basically school boy stuff at best. Drinkwater kicking the ball dead from 10m twice out is diabolical. Tigers were rewarded scoring directly of the back of those soft errors. He’s done it consistently all year and the reason the Cowboys haven’t won a game since Clifford left is obvious. I pretty disappointed with the unsportsmanlike behaviour of the Tigers in the last 5min. Firstly Brooks committed a professional foul to prevent the Cowboys ability to play the ball and score he was rightfully penalised and binned but then we had a stoppage for an injured Tigers player? Okay it was for a head knock but the trainer held up the game for 3 or more minutes and then attempted to usher the play from the furthest point of the field to the sideline before being told to take him off over the dead ball line so the game could continue. Both Tigers trainers were on the field with water and instructions. Next play from the tap the Cowboys score and when Holmes is in the process of Kicking the conversion both trainers ran back onto the field straight across his line between the post and Holmes? It was a deliberate as it gets and certainly not allowed IMO. If Holmes kicks that conversion the Cowboys are within 6 with 2 to play? Watching Tiger town would suggest it’s a direction from McGuire for trainers to stop play when required? It would also seem distracting a kicker is part of the gamesmanship? It’s about as pathetic and unsportsmanlike as it gets IMO.
The Mexican
Roar Rookie
Donald Trump would be really proud of you! You are Delusional mate!
The Mexican
Roar Rookie
To all those reporters saying the Tigers season is still alive: Get Off Drugs, it's not healthy. The Tigers are on 18 points, there are 3 teams ahead of them outside the 8, potentially 4 if the Warriors win Sunday, even if they win all 3 remaining games they can only make it to 24 points. realistically they can only win the Bulldogs game, maybe just maybe they can beat the Sharks but they will cop a belting from Penrith. that would take them to 22 points, 4 other teams ahead of them can easily get to 22 points but have a superior for and against. The Warriors, Knights, Sharks and maybe even the Dragons will finish ahead of them. I really don't know where they are getting that the Tiger's season is still alive? Let me put it simply, They are no chance of making the 8, maybe 9. (Mmmm? That number sounds familiar?) I wonder why? :happy: :stoked: :thumbdown: :laughing:
Kobi
Guest
Tigers make the 8 theyl go all the way.