Wests Tigers turned around their poor performance from last week to demolish Wyong Roos 44-16 at Morrie Breen Oval.
Three Tigers scored doubles in the win which will no doubt boost the clubs confidence moving forward.
Wests Tigers began well and had Wyong camped in their own territory. Wyong could not find their rhythm early and Wests Tigers capitalized with a try after 10 minutes to left winger Josh Addo-Carr.
Jack Littlejohn almost had the Tigers second minutes later only to be held up on the last. Penalties were killing the Roos and the added pressure of defence was causing simple errors when they had the ball.
Some strong runs up the middle from Jordan Grant and Rod Griffin had the Roos defence on the backfoot allowing Josh Drinkwater and Jack Littlejohn to dominate. Wests Tigers scored their second try, this time on the right wing with Jayden Wheelhouse crossing untouched. Wests Tigers enjoyed an 8 nil lead midway through the second half but Wyong just needed some quality ball.
Roos put together a good attack raid with back rower Luke Gardner coming up short and copped an injury for his troubles.
After dismal start, Wyong were slowly getting back into the game and soon had their first of the afternoon thanks to Tyler Cornish cutting his way through close to the uprights. Wests Tigers lead was cut to 8-6 10 out from half time and all of a sudden Wyong began to look the goods.
The Roos pushed up field moments later and soon had the lead thanks Papalii hitting the line for a well deserved try. Cornish added the extras with a brilliant kick from the sideline and after a shaky start Wyong now lead 12-8.
A late penalty gave Wests Tigers one more chance before half time but 12-8 to the Roos is how it stayed at half time.
The second half began well for the visiting Tigers scoring 2 minutes after half time thanks to a quick shift right for Chance Peni to score out wide which was converted by Drinkwater. Tigers were back in front 14-12.
Whatever was said at half time by Tigers coach Paul Stringer seemed to work with the tigers again attacking down the right and almost producing points.
Wyong had a chance to hit back and almost did, but a fumble in goal cost the Roos their third try.
Wyong had repeat sets in the Tigers 20 metre zone but again came up empty handed.
It was then Wests Tigers turn to head up field and attack. Some good metres by the big men laid the platform and Drinkwater put a nice grubber into the in goal for Chance Peni to score his second of the day. Drinkwater added the extras and the Tigers lead was back out to 8 points.
Wests Tigers soon extended their lead on the back of some strong running again by the forwards lead by Grant and skipper Asipeli Fine. Fullback Watson Heleta cut through some staggered Wyong defence for the Tigers fifth try. Drinkwater again converted and the Tigers led 26-12 with just over 20 minutes to play.
Both sides could be found guilty of sloppy defence but it was Wests Tigers who made the most of their oppositions mistakes. Addo-Carr went through some easy defence then stepped Slaimankhel to dash 60 metres for a super individual try. Drinkwater made no mistake with the conversion and the Tigers were well on the way to victory leading 32-12.
Slaimankhels afternoon got worse when the Roos fullback was sent to the bin for a leg pull. The Tigers made the Roos pay and had another try on the next play thanks to Jordan grant barging over. It was great reward for a strong game up front.
It was becoming embarrassing for the home team now as Heleta bagged his second try moments later. Drinkwater converted the try and 44-12 was not good reading for Rip Taylors boys.
Joe Burgess scored a late try for the Roos showing some great pace to beat Heleta but it was the only highlight in an afternoon the Roos would rather forget.
For Wests Tigers it was a brilliant turnaround after last week with all 17 playing their part in strong 44-16 victory.
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