Sharkie73
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This is off the NRL site;
13 March 2004
A Darren Senter try with 11 minutes remaining ensured the Wests Tigers started the National Rugby League premiership on a successful note against Cronulla tonight - but only after 80 minutes of frustration, mistakes and schoolboy errors at Telstra Stadium.
After last night's exhilarating start to the season at Penrith Stadium, where Newcastle knocked off the defending premier, the NRL came back to earth with a thud in the opening game of tonight's double header.
The Sharks and Tigers fumbled their way through 80 minutes before a healthy crowd at the Olympic venue, with the sides equally at fault as they struggled to hold onto the football.
The Tigers eventually got the better of the arm wrestle to win 12-6, but neither camp would have left Telstra Stadium happy with their performance.
In a sub-standard first half, Wests managed the only ray of sunshine when centre Shane Elford scored in the 16th minute, cleaning up a Scott Prince kick which was fumbled by David Peachey.
Fullback Peachey had saved a try less than a minute before, getting between Brett Hodgson and Elford when it looked like the Tigers were certain to score.
Cronulla hit back 15 minutes into the second half after a dubious penalty had again been awarded by referee Steve Lyons.
Lyons ruled Wests youngster Bryce Gibbs had taken out Michael Sullivan following a clearing kick and a minute later Brett Kimmorley's cross field bomb was spilt by Jason Moodie.
Teenager Keith Galloway was on hand to pick up the scraps and level the scores, with video referee Mick Stone awarding the try despite Matthew Rieck having a hold of Elford's jersey and appearing to impede the Wests centre as he tried to clean up the loose ball.
A Kimmorley penalty goal with 14 minutes remaining gave the Sharks a two-point edge and it looked like Cronulla was headed for victory. But Andrew Lomu - who endured an horrific premiership debut for Cronulla - knocked the ball on at dummy half on his own quarter to put the Tigers back on the attack with 11 minutes remaining.
Lomu belted the ball away in frustration and the former Sydney Roosters forward was looking for somewhere to hide less than a minute later when Wests captain Senter plunged over from dummy half. Hodgson converted to make the score 10-6 to the Tigers. He then kicked a penalty goal with four minutes remaining to extend his side's lead.
13 March 2004
A Darren Senter try with 11 minutes remaining ensured the Wests Tigers started the National Rugby League premiership on a successful note against Cronulla tonight - but only after 80 minutes of frustration, mistakes and schoolboy errors at Telstra Stadium.
After last night's exhilarating start to the season at Penrith Stadium, where Newcastle knocked off the defending premier, the NRL came back to earth with a thud in the opening game of tonight's double header.
The Sharks and Tigers fumbled their way through 80 minutes before a healthy crowd at the Olympic venue, with the sides equally at fault as they struggled to hold onto the football.
The Tigers eventually got the better of the arm wrestle to win 12-6, but neither camp would have left Telstra Stadium happy with their performance.
In a sub-standard first half, Wests managed the only ray of sunshine when centre Shane Elford scored in the 16th minute, cleaning up a Scott Prince kick which was fumbled by David Peachey.
Fullback Peachey had saved a try less than a minute before, getting between Brett Hodgson and Elford when it looked like the Tigers were certain to score.
Cronulla hit back 15 minutes into the second half after a dubious penalty had again been awarded by referee Steve Lyons.
Lyons ruled Wests youngster Bryce Gibbs had taken out Michael Sullivan following a clearing kick and a minute later Brett Kimmorley's cross field bomb was spilt by Jason Moodie.
Teenager Keith Galloway was on hand to pick up the scraps and level the scores, with video referee Mick Stone awarding the try despite Matthew Rieck having a hold of Elford's jersey and appearing to impede the Wests centre as he tried to clean up the loose ball.
A Kimmorley penalty goal with 14 minutes remaining gave the Sharks a two-point edge and it looked like Cronulla was headed for victory. But Andrew Lomu - who endured an horrific premiership debut for Cronulla - knocked the ball on at dummy half on his own quarter to put the Tigers back on the attack with 11 minutes remaining.
Lomu belted the ball away in frustration and the former Sydney Roosters forward was looking for somewhere to hide less than a minute later when Wests captain Senter plunged over from dummy half. Hodgson converted to make the score 10-6 to the Tigers. He then kicked a penalty goal with four minutes remaining to extend his side's lead.
