By Michelle Boon at Cessnock Sports Ground
The Wests Tigers made it four in a row following a commanding 34-12 win over Newcastle at Cessnock Sportsground on Saturday.
The Knights were first to score after 10 minutes of play when lock Tyler Randell touched down near the posts following through his own grubber 10m out from the Tigers’ line and taking advantage of poor judgment from fullback Kurtis Rowe which allowed him to ground it inches inside the dead ball line.
Halfback Michael Dobson converted to lead 6-0.
The Tigers replied six minutes later when hooker Joel Luani darted over out wide from dummy half following a repeat set and five eighth Mitchell Moses’ conversion levelled the scores at 6-all.
With 15 minutes to go Rowe crossed out wide after they created an overlap 40m out from the Knights’ line and quick hands to winger Marika Koroibete allowed him to make 20m before turning it inside to Rowe who improved the position.
Moses added the extras to take it to 12-6.
Five minutes later Koroibete scored out wide taking a clean bomb right on the try line with the Moses’ conversion making it 18-6.
With two minutes remaining, Koroibete notched his double taking another well-executed bomb from halfback Michael Stevens and scoring in almost the exact same spot.
Moses remained perfect with the boot to have them well in control at half time leading 24-6.
It took until the 17th minute of the second half before more points were added and they came the way of the Tigers through centre Keith Lulia, who sliced between defenders in the 10m zone to go over out wide.
Moses failed to convert but they extended the lead to 28-6.
Shortly after Lulia recorded his double, crossing near the posts backing up a great break that started down the left hand touchline from just inside the Knights’ half.
Moses converted to make it 34-6.
With 11 minutes to go Knights’ fullback Nathan Ross scored near the posts grounding a well-weighted grubber kick and Dobson’s conversion took the score to 34-12. From there the Tigers played the clock down to run out winners at full time.
The Tigers will enjoy the bye and the two points that come with it this week while the Knights face a tough trip to Henson Park to face the Jets.
Wests Tigers 34 (K Lulia 2, M Koroibete 2, K Rowe, J Luani tries; M Moses 5 goals) def. Newcastle Knights 12 (T Randell, N Ross tries; M Dobson 2 goals) at Cessnock Sports Ground.
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