Tigers guarantee home final

Wests Tigers clinched the second spot on the Premiership ladder following a 26-14 triumph over Melbourne Storm, in front of a packed crowd that secures them a home final in the playoffs.

However, there is some unfortunate news for the Tigers, as Chris Lawrence sustained a broken jaw just four minutes into the match.

The Storm was the first to score in the 7th minute, capitalizing on a drop ball by Marshall that allowed the visitors to toe the ball forward. They successfully regathered and shifted the ball left through multiple passes until winger Justin O’Neill crossed the line for a 4-0 advantage.

Unfortunately for the Storm, hooker Cameron Smith missed the conversion attempt from the wide angle.

Marshall soon electrified the Wests Tigers fans, showing incredible individual skill to create and then score a superb try in the corner.

From a stationary position, Marshall faked out prop Brett White to exploit a gap. He then executed an inside pass to substitute centre Mitch Brown, who transferred it to half-back Robert Lui, ultimately sending the ball back to Marshall for a corner try in the 13th minute.

The conversion from the sideline was unsuccessful, resulting in a 4-4 deadlock.

In the 21st minute, Andrew Fifita powered his way over from close range, receiving a pass from Robbie Farah. Marshall confidently converted from short range, putting the Tigers ahead by six points.

Referee Gavin Badger penalized Wests Tigers due to a deliberate forward pass from centre Mitch Brown to winger Lote Tuqiri after a towering kick from Marshall was let bounce by full-back Billy Slater.

In the subsequent set of six, the Storm shifted the ball to the right, catching Tuqiri out and allowing Willie Isa to score in the corner during the 31st minute. Smith’s conversion attempt was unsuccessful, bringing the score to 10-8.

A missed deliberate shepherd by the referees occurred in the 39th minute when winger Beau Ryan was impeded from tackling Dane Nielsen in the end zone. But lucky for Wests Tigers, Ryan Hoffman’s drop ball provided them an escape, visibly relieving the Tigers players and fans.

Wests Tigers expanded their lead to 14-8 when a grubber kick from Ryan, just 10 meters out, saw Marshall react quickly to score his second try. Marshall converted his own try from the sideline, extending the Tigers’ lead to 16-8 after 48 minutes.

The Storm narrowed the gap to 16-12 when Hoffman faked and showed the ball before forcefully scoring in the corner in the 58th minute. Smith successfully converted the try from inside the sideline, resulting in a 16-14 scoreline at the 59-minute mark.

Video referee Phil Cooley was consulted in the 68th minute to verify if hooker Robbie Farah had properly grounded the ball while diving next to the posts for a try. The referee ruled it a “refs’ call,” with Alan Shortall awarding a try – a classic Farah effort from dummy half, giving Wests Tigers a 20-14 lead.

Marshall converted the try, enhancing their lead to 22-14 at the 69-minute mark.

Wests Tigers ensured their victory in the 77th minute when a drop ball from Hoffman was seized by Farah, who sprinted downfield before teaming up with Marshall, who dashed more than 30 meters to score in the corner for a 26-14 lead.

Although Marshall’s conversion attempt from the sideline was on target, it ultimately fell short.

Buford Balony says: What an impressive win for the Tigers! They are outright 2^nd on the ladder with a crucial game next week that could solidify their 2^nd position. A little bit of Benji magic goes a long way. Go the Tigers.

NRL Ladder

• The 2010 season saw Melbourne Storm lose all premiership points.

“`