Wests Tigers captured their first Foundation Cup victory at the Sydney Football Stadium tonight on the back of a superb performance from half-back Robert Lui.
Lui set up two tries, scored one himself, and kicked a field goal in the 19-8 victory over the Sydney Roosters in front of a crowd of 6893.
The 21-year-old also sent a strong message to Head Coach
Tim Sheens that he is the man to start the season in the seven jersey despite the return of utility Tim Moltzen from a knee injury.
There appears to be no major injuries out of the match for Wests Tigers.
Wests Tigers lifted the Foundation Cup trophy for the first time since the trophy was first contested in 2007 between the two foundation clubs.
The Roosters opened the scoring in the 8th minute to winger Joseph Leilua after the ball went through seven sets of hands from a crossfield kick regained by the Roosters. Braith Anasta failed to convert the try for a 4-0 scoreline.
Some fine work by Wests Tigers half-back Rob Lui resulted in hooker and captain
Robbie Farah scoring behind the posts in the 23rd minute. Lui took the line on from 10 metres out and offloaded in a three man tackle to Farah. Marshall converted the try to give Wests Tigers a 6-4 lead.
Lui again showed his class and what he can do with the ball when he again took on the line before providing a good short ball to put second-rower Liam Fulton over out wide. Marshall converted the try to give Wests Tigers a 12-4 lead after 27 minutes.
Referee Tony Archer denied the Roosters a try in the 32nd minute to hooker Jake Friend under the posts after he ruled a Wests Tigers player was obstructed in trying to make a tackle.
The Roosters applied plenty of pressure inside the Wests Tigers quarter in the final minutes of the first half but the defence held strong. Props Keith Galloway and Bryce Gibbs pulled off some solid hits.
2nd Half
Tim Moltzen started the second half at half-back, replacing Lui who was very impressive in the first half.
The Roosters got back to 12-8 when Leilua dived over in the corner in the 50th minute. The try came on the back of Wests Tigers full-back Wade McKinnon being uplifted in a tackle in which he lost the ball, leaving many to question where was the penalty. Anasta failed to convert the try.
Wests Tigers bombed a certain try in the 57th minute when Farah dropped an inside pass from Marshall 10 metres out from the tryline. It came after quick hands saw lock Chris Heighington put Marshall down the left flank in open space.
Moltzen moved to full-back to replace McKinnon with Lui returning to half-back.
Lui was rewarded with his fine game when he stepped through the defence to score under the posts in the 67th minute to stretch Wests Tigers lead to 16-8.Marshall converted the try for an 18-8 lead .
Lui then topped off his fine game when he landed a field goal right on full-time for the 19-8 scoreline.
