Round 13
Newcastle Knights 14 l. Wests Tigers 33

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Farah inspires Tigers into 3rd spot
Mon June 11, 2007
Forget Benji Marshall and Brett Hodgson - the best player at the Wests Tigers is now Robbie Farah and he confirmed his rising status inspiring the Tigers to victory against a gallant Knights outfit.

The 33-14 scoreline wasn't a reflection on how competitive and close the match was with Wests scoring two tries in the final three minutes to extend out the scoreline.

Newcastle's Hunter Valley and in particular the townships of Maitland and Singleton had been ravaged by the winds, storm and terrential rain of the last week. The Newcastle area itself was hit hard with the roof of the Knights football office damaged. There were doubts as to whether this match would go ahead, but in true Newcastle spirit not only did the game go ahead there were over 13,000 brave souls in the crowd battling road closures and difficulties that has since been declared a 'Natural Disaster Zone'.

Talented youngster Cory Paterson scored the Knights opening try in the 19th minute for a 4-0 lead.

Farah struck back for the Tigers with a try in the 23rd minute and improving second-rower Chris Heighington crossed over six minutes later for Wests to lead 12-4 with Dean Collis converting both tries.

Brad Tighe scored an impressive try for Newcastle just before half-time to get them within four points and Tighe's second try 10 minutes after the break saw Newcastle lead 14-12 with Paterson landing his first conversion.

Collis landed a penalty goal to level up the scores in the 55th minute and crossed over two minutes later to regain the Tigers lead.

The Tigers were up 20-14 when Farah landed an important drop-goal with 11 minutes remaining and victory was sealed when winger Taniela Tuiaki raced the length of the field to score his first try of the season.

Liam Fulton scored in the final moments to round off a good afternoon for the depleted Tigers who showed that they can win without both Marshall and Hodgson. After being a one-man team in 2005/06 with Marshall, they are basically now a one-man band with their attack and defence revolving out the ultra impressive Farah.

Newcastle can hold their heads up high fielding a very young side on the field and many of their new talents shined including Paterson, Tighe, Luke Walsh, Michael Young and Nathan Hinton.

Wests Tigers 33 (Robbie Farah, Chris Heighington, Dean Collis, Taniela Tuiaki, Liam Fulton tries, Dean Collis 6 goals, Farah field goal) d Newcastle 14 (Brad Tighe 2, Corey Paterson tries, Paterson goal).


Payten named as Wests Tigers captain in Hodgson's absence
Fri June 8, 2007
Source: www.weststigers.com.au

Wests Tigers prop Todd Payten has been appointed captain for this Sunday's game against Newcastle Knights at Energy Australia Stadium.

Coach Tim Sheens appointed Payten as captain following news that Brett Hodgson will be out for at least eight weeks. Hodgson will undergo surgery on Tuesday, June 12.

Hodgson has multiple fractures to the left cheekbone and eye socket after suffering the injury against Parramatta at Telstra Stadium on Monday night.

Payten captained the Wests Tigers to victory in the round eight win over the Storm at BlueTongue Stadium in May.

News sent by: www.weststigers.com.au

Tue June 5, 2007
• Woolnough and Reynoldson leading the Knights pack
  

Advanced Search