Wests Tigers recorded a 70-4 victory over Shellharbour City Dragons in a first grade trial at Ron Costello Oval, Shellharbour, on Friday, March 6.
In front of a crowd of more than 4500, Wests Tigers ran in 13 tries to one in a strong, final hit out before opening their Telstra Premiership campaign against Canberra Raiders at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Monday, March 16.
Shellharbour, the St George-Illawarra Dragons NSW Cup team, never stopped trying against their more experienced and classier opponents.
It appears Wests Tigers have suffered no major injuries out of the trial.
Wests Tigers opened the scoring in the fifth minute when centre Chris Lawrence made a break down the left flank before linking up with winger Taniela Tuiaki to score out wide for a 4-0 lead.
The opening 10 minutes of the match was played in near dark due to a power failure but the lights were soon back on.
Full-back Tim Moltzen then made it 8-0 after finishing off a backline play to score in the corner. Half-back Benji Marshall converted from the sideline for a 10-0 scoreline after 14 minutes.
It became 14-0 when centre Dean Collis ran onto a pass from Gareth Ellis to step past three defenders to score next to the posts. Marshall converted the try for a 16-0 lead after 17 minutes.
Three minutes later, Tuiaki finished off a backline play involving five-eighth John Morris and Lawrence to score in the corner. Marshall converted for a 22-0 lead.
Moltzen then scored his second try when he ran off an inside ball from Marshall to score next to the posts. Marshall converted for a 28-0 lead.
Tuiaki scored his third try in the 25th minute when he beat three defenders from 20 metres out to score. Marshall converted for a 34-0 lead.
Moltzen then scored his third try when he raced 20 metres to score after a break up the middle by Morris.
Marshall converted the try for a 40-0 lead after 27 minutes.
Shellharbour threatened the Wests Tigers line in the 34th minute and looked set to score before a shoulder charge by Marshall stopped their momentum. The defence held strong on the last tackle to keep the Dragons at bay.
A short pass by Farah to Collis saw him juggle the ball before stepping his way to score near the posts in the 43rd minute. Marshall converted for a 46-0 lead.
Prop Keith Galloway then added to the tryscoring tally when he charged over from a short pass to score out wide for a 50-0 lead. Marshall converted for a 52-0 lead after 55 minutes.
Winger Beau Ryan then got his first try when a short kick by Farah in goal was dropped by Shellharbour for Ryan to dive on the loose ball to score. Marshall converted the try for a 58-0 lead after 60 minutes.
A short grubber kick by Marshall saw the ball sit up perfectly for Tuiaki to scoop it up to score in the corner for a 62-0 lead. Marshall failed to convert from the sideline.
Shellharbour got on the board in the 70th minute when second-rower Neville Costigan beat two tacklers to score in the corner for a 62-4 scoreline.
Junior Roqica was brought on for the final 10 minutes after a good performance in the U20s trial. He almost scored with his first touch when a grubber kick by Morris saw him dive in the corner only for the ball to be forced dead.
Roqica did get on the board when he scored in the corner after some quick hands out wide for a 66-4 lead. Robert Lui, also rewarded from the U20s game, failed to convert after replacing Marshall.
Roqica grabbed his second try in the 79th minute when he finished off a fine play by Morris and Moltzen to score in the corner for a 70-4 scoreline at full-time.
From weststigers.com.au
