REPLAY: Tigers too strong for Dragons, Warriors get over Titans, Cowboys cruise against Knights

REPLAY: In a big day of NRL action, the Tigers beat the Dragons, the Warriors hung on against the Titans, and the Cowboys sent a warning shot.

Saturday

IT'S a big afternoon of NRL action as the Dragons host the Tigers at the SCG, the Titans take on the Warriors and the Cowboys do battle with the Knights.

MATCH CENTRE: Dragons v Tigers 

MATCH CENTRE: Titans v Warriors

MATCH CENTRE: Cowboys v Knights

9.25pm - Cowboys send warning shot

FULL-TIME: The last 15 minutes included a controversial sending off, with Kade Snowden marched for a shoulder charge may have broken Ray Thompson's jaw. From that point the Cowboys cruised home for a win that will have the NRL's other finals aspirants looking over their shoulder. Cowboys 26-6 Knights.

***

8.56pm - Cowboys in good shape

WAYNE Ulugia gets over for his double to give the home side complete control into the last quarter of the game. Cowboys 20-6 Knights.

***

8.40pm - Knights start second half well

DARIUS Boyd shows great strength to beat the last line of defence for the Cowboys and get over the line to get the Knights back into the game early in the second half. Cowboys 14-6 Knights.

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8.17pm - Cowboys in control

HALF-TIME: The Knights stopped the bleeding after conceding two early tries, but the Cowboys are firmly in control at the break. Cowboys 14-0 Knights.

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7.51pm - Cowboys get of to flyer

THE Cowboys have got off to the best possible start with Wayne Ulugia and Brent Tate crossing the line in quick succession to put the Knights on the back foot. Cowboys 12-0 Knights.

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7.32pm - Cowboys v Knights final teams

Cowboys: Matthew Bowen, Wayne Ulugia, Brent Tate, Kane Linnett, Antonio Winterstein, Johnathan Thurston (c), Robert Lui, Matthew Scott (c), Ray Thompson, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Glenn Hall, Joel Riethmuller. Interchange: Rory Kostjasyn, Tariq Sims, Scott Bolton, Ricky Thorby, Ethan Lowe.

Knights: Darius Boyd, James McManus, Dane Gagai, Joey Leilua, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen (c), Tyrone Roberts, Kade Snowden, Danny Buderus, Zane Tetevano, Robbie Rochow, Beau Scott, Alex McKinnon. Interchange: Kurt Gidley, Chris Houston, Neville Costigan, David Fa'alogo.

***

7.25pm - Warriors hang on

FULL-TIME: The Warriors hold off a desperate final effort from the Titans to get the win and keep their slim finals hopes alive. Warriors 24-22 Titans.

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6.57pm - Warriors break the deadlock

AFTER fighting their way back into the game, the Warriors hit the front for the first time as Jerome Ropati goes in for his double. Johnson converts to put the Warriors out by six. Warriors 22-16 Titans.

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6.41pm - Warriors on the charge

KONRAD Hurrell goes over for the Warriors for the first points of the second half, with Shaun Johnson's conversion squaring things up. Titans 16-16 Warriors.

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6.20pm - Warriors hit back

HALF-TIME: THE Warriors stop the bleeding just before the half-time siren as Jerome Ropati gets over the line close to the right sideline. Shaun Johnson adds the extras to get the Warriors right back into the game. Titans 16-10 Warriors.

***

6.18pm - Titans extend their lead

Brad Takairangi scores a try after receiving a basketball pass over the top, to give the Titans a good buffer in the lead-up to half-time. Titans 16-6 Warriors. 

*** 

6pm - James gets a double

THE Titans regain the lead through a second first half try to hulking forward Ryan James. Titans 12-6 Warriors. 

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5.49pm - Titans, Warriors trade blows

THE Titans have been pulled back by a Dane Neilsen try after Ryan James got the ball rolling with an early four-pointer for the home side. Titans 6-6 Warriors.

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5.25pm - Final teams for Titans v Warriors

Titans: David Mead, Kevin Gordon, Brad Takairangi, Jamie Dowling, Anthony Don, Aidan Sezer, Albert Kelly, Ryan James, Beau Falloon, Nate Myles, Ben Ridge, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Luke Douglas, David Taylor, Matt Srama, Steve Michaels.

Warriors: Kevin Locke, Jerome Ropati, Dane Nielsen, Konrad Hurrell, Manu Vatuvei, Thomas Leuluai, Shaun Johnson, Sam Rapira, Nathan Friend, Suaia Matagi, Elijah Taylor, Simon Mannering (c), Todd Lowrie. Interchange: Ben Matulino, Jacob Lillyman, Feleti Mateo, Dominique Peyroux.

***

5pm - Tigers enjoy SCG success

FULL-TIME: DEBUTANT playmaker Luke Brooks is the star as the Tigers blow the Dragons away late in the second half for a comfortable victory. Tigers 34-18 Dragons.

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4.38pm - Brooks caps fairytale debut with try

THE Tigers just about seal the game through a terrific solo running try from young debutant Luke Brooks. Tigers 34-18 Dragons.

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4.27pm - Simona gets his double

A COMBINATION of two Tigers young guns swings the momentum with Tim Simona diving over for his double - grounding a beautifully weighted kick from debutant playmaker Luke Brooks. Tigers 28-18 Dragons.

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4.20pm - Dragons on the charge

A SECOND try in quick succession to the Dragons, this time through skipper Ben Creagh, puts the game right back on an even keel with 30 minutes to play. Tigers 22-18 Dragons.

***

4.15pm - Quinlan gets over for Dragons

THE Dragons keep the Tigers within sight, scoring first points of the first half through a beautiful long-range try conceived by Brett Morris on the left side of the field. Quinlan gets a pass off Charlie Runciman for a free run to the line. Tigers 22-12 Dragons.

***

HALF TIME: Tigers lead Dragons 22-6.

40 min: Bronson Harrison looks for an offload, passes to Sironen who gives it to Tim Simona who runs the length of the field. Marshall converts. Tigers lead 22-6. 

32 min: Luke Brooks goes short to Curtis Sironen and the back rower crashes over. Marshall cannot convert. Tigers lead 16-6.

29 min: Benji Marshall makes a break, splits the defence and puts Braith Anasta over for a try. Marshall converts the try. Tigers lead 12-6.

13 min: Joel Luani goes over from dummy half and Benji Marshall kicks the goal to level the scores 6-6.

8 min: Luke Brooks misses a tackle and Leeson Ah Mau reaches out to score for the Dragons. Chase Stanley converts. Dragons lead 6-0.

3 min: Wests Tiger Ben Murdoch-Masila, caught awkwardly in a tackle injuring his neck. The incident was placed on report.

TEAM CHANGES

Tigers: Sue and Bell OUT. Brooks and Brown IN. Anasta to centre, Brooks starts at halfback, Sironen back row, Fulton lock, Thompson and Brown bench.

Dragons: Will Matthews OUT, Craig Garvey IN.