WESTS TIGERS BEAT COWBOYS 28-4 IN TRIAL
By Wayne Cousins
Friday, 12 February 2010
Wests Tigers recorded a strong 28-4 victory over the North Queensland Cowboys in Mackay tonight in their first NRL trial match for 2010.
In a match played on a quagmire of a field at Tiger Park, Walkerston, the Cowboys enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening 20 minutes but could not break through the defence.
Both sides remained scoreless at the end of the first quarter. The Cowboys scored in the 39th minute through a try to Manase Manuokafoa. Former Wests Tigers full-back Shannon Gallant lined up for the Cowboys.
Wests Tigers opened their account in the 43rd minute when full-back Jake Mullaney scored his first try in the top grade after good lead up work by prop Junior Moors. Mullaney converted the try for a 6-4 lead.
Four minutes later, a change of angle in a strong run saw Moors score. Mullaney converted for a 12-4 lead.
Two minutes later, some fine lead up work by hooker Chris Corby saw Englishman Mark Flanagan score his first try for Wests Tigers. Mullaney converted the try for an 18-4 lead.
It became 22-4 when Flanagan scored his second try from a kick by half-back Blake Lazarus, playing his first game in a year after missing last season with a knee reconstruction.
Wests Tigers finished their tryscoring spree in the 78th minute when a kick through by the Cowboys was regathered by winger Rhys Pritchard, who made a great run back before linking up with Josh Davis who raced 20 metres to score under the posts. Mullaney converted the try for a 28-4 victory.
Prop Bryce Gibbs was named man-of-the-match.
It was a very good effort in the heavy conditions and the pleasing thing is there are no major injuries, said Wests Tigers Recruitment Manager Warren McDonnell.
It was a terrible night for rugby league. The game was played in thick mud.
It was a forwards game. There was plenty of drop ball.
Gibbs, centres Geoff Daniela and Jake Clarke and hooker Daniel Fitzhenry did well in the first half.
"Corby did well at dummy half in the second half while Arana Taumata added plenty of spark. Moors and Flanagan were also very good."
Wests Tigers 28 (Mark Flanagan 2, Jake Mullaney, Junior Moors, Josh Davis tries; Mullaney 4 goals) d Nth Qld Cowboys 4 (Manase Manuokafoa) at Tiger Park, Mackay.
